Women's Cross Country Captures Second Place at MASCAC Championships

N. Dartmouth, MA --- Worcester State junior Erin Donohue (Saugus, MA) posted a time of 19:57 for seventh place to highlight four Lancers who placed in the top 11 as WSU earned second place out of eight teams at the MASCAC Championships this afternoon hosted by UMass Dartmouth. The runner-up spot marks the second time the squad has accomplished the feat.

Westfield State won the title with 23 points, followed by Worcester State (51), Bridgewater State (72), Salem State (130) and Fitchburg added fifth (135). The Lancers highest finish at the conference championships came during the 2004 season when they were edged out by the Owls, 43-32.

In conjunction with their counterparts from the Little East Conference, the New England Alliance Championships were also held this weekend and the women's squad took home fifth place as a team with 126 points.

Third-year Brittany Grueter (Foxboro, MA) and sophomore Ali Barrett (Hingham, MA) both placed ninth (20:07) and tenth (20:19), respectively, while freshman Chelsey Peso (Uxbridge, MA) notched 11th (20:21).

For finishing in the top 10, Donohue received All-MASCAC honors along with Grueter and Barrett. Donohue also timed 20th overall in the Alliance race for All-New England Alliance honors.

Sophomore Kelsey Cartwright (Bridgewater, MA) and first-year Jennifer Cardinal (Chicopee, MA) were a second off each other in 14th (20:42) and 15th (20:43), respectively. Senior Meg Plant (Franklin, MA) rounded out the top seven finishers with 17th place (20:49).

For a successful finish at the conference championships, head coach Mat Lemaire was tabbed the Turfer MASCAC Coach of the Year.

The Lancers will take next week off and finish their season at the NCAA New England Regional's at Bowdoin on November 12.