Women’s Cross Country Lands Five Runners in Top-10 to Win Season Opening Meet

LEOMINSTER, Mass. – The Worcester State University women's cross country team landed five runners in the top-10 at the Jim Sheehan Memorial Alumni Cross Country Meet on Saturday, to win the meet by a wide margin.

THE BASICS

September 2, 2017

Doyle Conservation Area

1^st Place: Worcester State

2^nd Place: Cobleskill

3^rd Place: UMass Dartmouth

4^th Place: Fitchburg State

5^th Place: Framingham State

6^th Place: UMass Boston

RECAP

Sophomore Elisabeth Olson (Wilmington, Mass.) broke her personal course record by eight seconds in scoring the top spot for Worcester State (2^nd place). Worcester State's senior Justine Murdocca (Milford, Mass.) followed Olson and notched 3^rd place, earning a 13-second course personal record.

Freshmen Shaylee Puleo (Tewksbury, Mass.) and Julia Carrier (Oxford, Mass.) took the 6^th and 7^th places, respectively, while sophomore Courtney Guay (Londonderry, N.H.) followed with 8^th place. Kelsey Bedard (Leominster, Mass.) and Kyra Siano (N. Attleboro, Mass.) completed the top-7 today as they finished strong at the finish line.

THE TOP-7

• 2^nd Place, Elisabeth Olson (20:29.27)
• 3^rd Place, Justine Murdocca (20:39.89)
• 6^th Place, Shaylee Puleo (21:20.67)
• 7^th Place, Julia Carrier (21:26.23)
• 8^th Place, Courtney Guay (21:28.87)
• 13^th Place, Kelsey Bedard (21:44.43)
• 14^th Place, Kyra Siano (21:46.69)

COACHES CORNER

On Elizabeth Olson's top performance:  I believe Elisabeth underestimated her race ability today," commented head coach Gary Jusseaume.  "My projection was for a 20:15.  She ran a strong, steady pace start to finish."

On Justine Murdocca's record: "It was a terrific motivational effort following an injury this summer which impacted her training regimen," said Jusseaume.  "I'm pleased with her devotion to training and mental preparation for this meet."

"Both Puleo and Carrier ran outstanding races for their first collegiate meet, and both will be major impact runners for us this season," stated Jusseaume.  "Sophomore Courtney Guay's comeback race, after an injury in her rookie year, witnessed her somewhat tentative to return to college cross country. As her training advances and she regains her self-confidence she will be a potent competitor."

"Kelsey and Kyra will certainly close the short gap to their top five teammates in the next two weeks," said Jusseaume.  "Their strong finish in this meet make clear they have untapped ability to push their respective paces in the coming weeks."

"I'm extremely pleased with this young team's performance today.  It's one of the best team performances in well over a decade," commented Jusseaume.  "With the return of Mia Rogers to competition next week, the Lancers will test its competitive depth at the University of New England Invitational."

UP NEXT

The cross country team will travel to Biddeford, Maine next week to take part in the University of New England Invitational at Rotary Park.

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