MCLA to host MASCAC Cross Country Championships this Saturday

North Adams, MA- The MCLA Cross Country programs will host the 2018 MASCAC Cross Country championships on Saturday at Mount Greylock Regional High School in Williamstown, Mass.. The MASCAC women's teams will run first with the 5k race at 11 am followed by the men in the 8k at noon. Following both of the races, the awards will be announced, including the meet champions, finalists, runner and rookie of the year along with coach of the year.

The Fitchburg State men's squad and the Worcester State women's squad look to repeat as cross country champions.

During last year's championship meet, Worcester State claimed their first ever women's title with 30 points breaking runner-up Westfield State's 13 year streak. The Owls came in second with 53 points. Up next in third was Bridgewater State with 79 points while Framingham State was next with 106 points. Closing out the team finishers were Fitchburg State and MCLA in fifth and sixth with 112 and 171 points, respectively. 

Westfield State's Jessie Cardin set a new MASCAC record with her fourth straight MASCAC Runner of the Year honors, finishing first with a time of 18:19, almost 40 seconds ahead of the next racer. Helping Worcester State to their first title was the 2017 MASCAC Women's Cross Country Rookie of the Year Shaylee Puleo who crossed the line 11th with a time of 20:06.

On the men's side, Fitchburg State finished with 30 points to take home the title over runner-up Bridgewater State close behind with 34 points. Westfield State was next in third with 83 points while Worcester State was fourth with 105 points. Massachusetts Maritime came in fifth with 155 points. MCLA and Framingham State rounded out the teams in sixth and seventh with 162 and 205 points, respectively. 

Leading the Falcons to the championship was Brian Amaral, the top overall finisher with an 8k time of 25:41 for the MASCAC Runner of the Year honor. Earning the 2017 MASCAC Men's Cross Country Rookie of the Year was Gilley Kabamba with an 8k time of 27:21, good enough for 10th place and a spot on the All-Conference Team.

All race results and recaps can be found on mascac.com following the meet. Make sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for live meet updates.