Owls Selected to Finish Second in Women’s Cross Country Preseason Coaches’ Poll
Owls Receive three of the seven first place votes in poll
Westfield, Mass. – The Westfield State women's cross country team was selected second in the 2021 MASCAC Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Owls received three first place votes and came just one-point shy of the top spot. At the 2019 meet, Amy O'Sullivan crossed the line third with a time of 19:24 to earn a spot on the All-Conference squad and help the Owls to the team title.
The Bears had four first place votes for 34 points to earn the top spot. Returning is Julie Glavin who finished 34th at the 2019 MASCAC Championship with a 5k time of 22:39.
Worcester State is up next in third with 24 points. 2019 All-Conference honoree Kasey Clark is back for the Lancers after racing across the line in eighth with a 5k time of 20:48.
Landing in fourth is Framingham State with 20 points. Returning for the Rams, Eliza Weisse earned All-Conference honors with a ninth place time of 20:51 at the championship meet in 2019.
Sitting in fifth place is Fitchburg State with 19 points. Abby Murphy is back for the Falcons after crossing the line in 10th to grab a spot on the All-Conference team with a 5k time of 21:07.
Closing out the 2021 preseason poll are Massachusetts Maritime and MCLA in sixth and seventh with nine points and eight points, respectively. For the Buccaneers, they will look to Lily Hakkarainen this season. She finished the 2019 MASCAC Championship course in a time of 23:46. For the Trailblazers, Domenica Gomez is back after covering the 5k course in 2019 with a time of 29:35.
Over the next few weeks, the seven MASCAC women's cross country teams will begin their season culminating with the MASCAC Championship on October 30.
2021 MASCAC Women's Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll
(First Place Votes In Parentheses)
1. Bridgewater State (4) - 34 points
2. Westfield State (3) - 33 points
3. Worcester State - 24 points
4. Framingham State - 20 points
5. Fitchburg State - 19 points
6. Massachusetts Maritime - 9 points
7. MCLA - 8 points