Women's Cross Country selected seventh in MASCAC preseason poll

2015 MASCAC Women's Cross Country Preseason Poll

North Adams, MA- The MCLA Women's Cross Country program was selected to finish seventh in the MASCAC following a vote of the league's coaching staff.  The Trailblazers are under the direction of Rob Colantuono, who begins his fourth season at the helm.

The Westfield State Owls have been selected to win the 2015 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference women's cross country championship as voted on by the seven coaches from around the league.

The Owls claimed five of the seven first place votes for 35 points. Last season, Jess Cardin led the squad at the MASCAC Championship as the top finisher to earn the MASCAC Runner and Rookie of the Year honors. Five Westfield State runners finished in the top 10 to help the squad win the team title.

Receiving the other two first place votes for 32 points is Bridgewater State. The Bears finished in second place at the 2014 meet. Jacey Peers crossed the line first for the team in fifth place to earn All-Conference honors.

Landing in a three-way tie for the third spot is Fitchburg State, Framingham State and Worcester State with 21 points. The Falcons' Nicole Gaffney took home ninth place last season to help the team to a fifth place finish. For the Rams, Haley Chamberlain crossed the line third to give them a third place showing. Erin Beccia paced the Lancers as the second place finisher. Gaffney, Chamberlain and Beccia all earned All-Conference honors as well.

Rounding out the poll is Massachusetts Maritime with 10 points and MCLA with seven points in sixth and seventh, respectively. The Buccaneers took home seventh place at last season's meet with Mara Footit as the top finisher for the team in 23rd.

The Trailblazers placed eighth last season at the conference championship with Martha Pratt crossing the line first for MCLA.

The cross country season begins on September 5 when six of the seven MASCAC schools will begin their 2015 year.