Westfield State has been picked by the six coaches in the league to win their fifth straight MASCAC Women’s Cross Country Championship. 

The Owls had four first place votes to earn the top spot. During the 2023 Championship, Westfield State earned the team title with their first five all finishing in the top 10. Crossing first was Shea Hamel in second place with a 5k time of 19:32.

Earning the other two first place votes is Bridgewater State in second. Naomi Cass was the first finisher across the line to earn 2023 MASCAC Women’s Cross Country Individual Champion with a time of 19:10 and All-Conference honors.

Fitchburg State and Framingham State are up next tied for third. Skye Goba rounded out the top 10 last season with an All-Conference fourth place performance. She crossed the line in 20:04. For the Rams, Kate Buban was named the 2023 MASCAC Rookie of the Year after she was the top first time performer in eighth place with a time of 20:46.

Sitting in fifth place is Worcester State. At last year’s championship, Leah Berg covered the 5k course with a time of 23:24, good enough for 22nd place.  

Closing out the 2023 preseason poll is Massachusetts Maritime in sixth. Competing at the first MASCAC Championship, Lorelei Lee was the first Buccaneer across the line in 28th with a time of 24:03.   

Over the next few weeks, the six MASCAC women’s cross country teams will begin their season culminating with the MASCAC Championship on November 2 hosted by Fitchburg State. 

 

(First Place Votes In Parentheses)

 

1. Westfield State (4) - 24 points

2. Bridgewater State (2) - 22 points

3. Fitchburg State - 14 points

Framingham State - 14 points

5. Worcester State - 11 points

6. Massachusetts Maritime - 5 points