Fitchburg State Cross Country Ranked In Pre-Season Poll

Men’s team selected third overall; Women earn fourth place pre-season nomination

BUZZARDS BAY, Mass. (August 25, 2011) –  The Fitchburg State men’s and women’s cross country teams were recently ranked in the MASCAC Pre-Season Coaches Poll as selected by the league coaches Wednesday evening. The Falcons men’s team finished third overall in the rankings with 51 total points, while the women placed fourth with a total of 38 points.

On the men’s side, the Owls of Westfield State University were selected as the 2011 MASCAC pre-season favorites with five first place votes and 61 points, while defending champion, Bridgewater State amassed 55 points and three first place picks. The Falcons followed in third place with 51 points, while Worcester State (35), Mass-Maritime (34), Salem State (26) and MCLA (14) rounded out the poll.

On the women’s side, defending MASCAC champion Westfield State captured six first place votes with 61 points to top second place Bridgewater State’s total of 57 points. Worcester State finished third overall with 49 points, while Fitchburg State and Salem State follow in fourth and fifth place with 38 and 26 points, respectively. Framingham State took home sixth place with 23 points, while Mass-Maritime and MCLA capped the poll in seventh and eighth place, respectively, with 21 and 13 points.

Now in its fifth decade of service to eight institutions in the Commonwealth, the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic 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 sport of men’s ice hockey.

The Fitchburg State men’s and women’s cross country teams open their 2011 season on Saturday, September 3 as they travel to Keene State College at 11 a.m. For more information regarding Falcon Athletics, please contact Sports Information Director, Keith Brouillard at 978-665-3343.