MASCAC Cross Country Pre-Season Poll Announced

Men's team selected third overall; Women selected fourth overall

FITCHBURG, Mass. (August 29, 2014) – The Fitchburg State men's and women's cross country teams were recently ranked among the top four teams in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASACAC) Pre-Season Coaches Poll as voted by the league coaches.

The Fitchburg State men's team finished third overall in the rankings with 39 total points, while the women came in fourth with a total of 32 points.

On the men's side, Westfield State is looking to defend their title from last year, capturing seven of the eight first place votes to amass 49 points in this year's poll to edge out second place Bridgewater State's total of 40 points, which includes the remaining first place vote. Fitchburg State and Worcester State followed in third and fourth place with 39 and 30 points, respectively. Massachusetts Maritime was selected to finish in fifth place with 24 points just ahead of MCLA's sixth place total of 17 points. Salem State and Framingham State round out this year's poll with 16 and nine points respectively.

On the women's side, ten-time defending champion Westfield State and Bridgewater both captured four first place votes to amass 46 points each in this year's poll, while Worcester State collected 36 points for third place. Fitchburg State landed in the fourth spot with 32 points, while Salem State and MCLA followed in fifth and sixth place, respectively, with 23 and 15 points. Massachusetts Maritime with 14 points and Framingham State with 12 points rounded out the 2014 MASCAC women's cross country pre-season poll.

The Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference, the nation's oldest Division III men's and women's playing conference, has a rich and storied tradition of competitive success, while celebrating excellence in the classroom. MASCAC member schools include Bridgewater State University, Fitchburg State University, Framingham State University, MCLA, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Salem State University, Westfield State University and Worcester State University. Two other institutions, the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and Plymouth State University, are affiliate members of the conference in the sports of football and men's ice hockey, while Western Connecticut State University joined the conference as an affiliate member in football beginning in 2013.

The Fitchburg State men's and women's cross country teams open their 2014 season on Saturday, August 31st as they travel to Keene State College at 10:00 a.m.