Three Worcester State Student-Athletes Earn MASCAC Weekly Awards (Mar. 21-27)

WORCESTER, Mass. – Three Worcester State University student-athletes of the men’s track & field and softball teams have earned Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) weekly awards for the week ending Mar. 27.

Men’s Outdoor Track & Field:

Senior student-athlete, David Germain (Malden, Mass.) was named the MASCAC Field Athlete of the Week for his performance in the Wesleyan Spring Break Invitational.

“David was impressive in his first outing of the season after having to sit out the indoor campaign,” stated head coach Al Halper. “As he continues to get into better shape for both jumping and hurdling, he can, if you forgive the pun, only go "up" from here.”

Germain had the highest clearing in the high jump with a leap of 1.93m, tying for sixth nationally in the event.

“Dave has the capability of being one of the top high jumpers in DIII New England’s as well as DIII ECACs,” commented Halper. “This being his final season, he has some definite goals to accomplish.  This weekend's performances were a good start to achieving those season goals.”

After earning numerous MASCAC Rookie of the Week awards in the indoor season, freshman Marcus Vieira (Peabody, Mass.) has been tabbed the first MASCAC outdoor Rookie of the Week of the season.

“Marcus had a solid first meet of the outdoor season, placing well in all three of his events,” said Halper. “He is continuing right from where he left off indoors.  He should be among the best in DIII New England’s and DIII ECACs in his events.” 

Vieira placed 1^st in the discus at the Wesleyan Spring Break Invitational with a distance of 42.41m. He then placed 3^rd in the hammer and shot put with distances of 46.34m and 13.10m, respectively.

“It is early but, he is among the top ten freshman in the country in the NCAA DIII rankings in the hammer throw and discus,” commented Halper. “With hard work and a little luck he should remain in that elite group and see steady progress. He will again help to set the tone for our throws squad as he did indoors.”

Softball:

Junior first baseman and catcher, Sydney Despres (Sterling, Mass.) was named the MASCAC Player of the Week for her performance at the Florida Spring Games.

She batted .429 with three doubles, five home runs, six runs scored, 13 RBI and a .943 slugging percentage in 10 games played from Monday-Sunday for the Lancers.

“Syd's is what you would call a pure hitter,” commented head coach Michelle Cote. “I had the pleasure of coaching Sydney when she was 14 during summer ball and she could crush the ball then. Her offensive performance in Florida is just the start of what you will see from her.”

Despres went 3-for-4 with a double, two home runs, two runs scored and three RBI in the 6-3 win over Wellesley College. She was 3-for-3 with a home run, run scored and three RBI in the 6-6 tie with Bowdoin College and 2-for-4 with a home run, four RBI and a run scored in the 11-10 setback to University of Southern Maine.

“Her happy, go lucky approach to hitting is what sets her apart from other batters,” commented Cote. “She steps up to the plate with confidence and poise. She has already met my expectations with her Florida performance so I'm just happy I can be a part of watching something special on fold.”

Honor Roll:

Third baseman, John Boyd (Worcester, Mass.) batted .300 with three RBI, two walks and a stolen base in a 1-1 week for the Lancers. He hit a two-out walk-off base hit in the bottom of the 11^th inning to score a run for a 3-2 victory over Roger Williams University.

Senior attack, Jackie Connors (Ashland, Mass.) registered 10 goals and three assists for 13 points with seven draw controls, four ground balls and three caused turnovers in a 1-1 week for the Lancers.

Junior Kayla Humphrey (Wallingford, Conn.) went 1-1 on the mound for the Lancers, recording a 4.61 ERA over 13 2/3 innings, including a complete game with two strikeouts and three earned runs in the 6-3 win over Wellesley College.

Junior Marc George (Framingham, Mass.) placed second in the 800 meter with a time of 1:59.14 at the Wesleyan Spring Break Invitational.

Senior Francesca Casasanta (Milford, Mass.) had a first place finish in the high jump with a top clearing of 1.57m at the Wesleyan Spring Break Invitational to qualify for Division III New England.

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