Westfield, Mass.— Reigning outdoor champions Bridgewater State men and this year’s indoor champions Westfield State women have been selected by the coaches from around the conference to claim the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference Outdoor Track and Field titles during the 2024 campaign.

On the men’s side, Bridgewater State claimed four first place votes in this year’s poll. During the 2023 MASCAC Championship, the Bears took home seven individual titles and a relay on the day. Chigozie Adigwe was a two-time winner in the 110m hurdles (15.15) and the 400m hurdles (56.98). Kevin McBirney also found himself as a dual winner in the 800m run (2:01.12) and 1,500m run (4:02.49).

Westfield State is up next in the poll in second place with the final first place vote. They finished second at last year’s championship. Returning is Colby Ranck who finished second in the triple jump (13.17m) and added a fifth-place mark at the long jump (6.39m).

Fitchburg State nabbed the third spot in this year’s poll. Last season, the Falcons grabbed five individual crowns and a relay. Eric Shimiyimana hop, skipped and jumped to a triple jump honor at 13.61m at the 2023 championship.

Sitting in fourth is Massachusetts Maritime. Returning for the Buccaneers is Demetri Boozer who at the 2023 Championship crossed the line in the 100 meter dash with a 12.07 seconds. 

Rounding out the men’s poll in fifth is Worcester State. During the 2023 Championship, Brodie Jacques had a solid day for Worcester State. He earned the top spot in three events, including the 100m dash (10.99), 200m dash (22.16) and long jump (6.95m). 

On the women’s side with four first place votes, Westfield State grabbed three individual crowns and the final relay. Molly Kennedy had the top time in the 1,500m run at 4:59.55. Brynne LeCours had the fastest 800m run time, clocking in at 2:28.07. Shea Hamel closed out the individual champs in the 5,000m run with a time of 19:09.47.

Bridgewater State earns the final two first place votes. Claiming seven individual titles and two relays on the day, Bridgewater State led by Jailene Escalera who took home multiple titles on the day. She was first in the 100m dash (12.20) and 200m dash (25.81). Alison McDonough also was a dual winner in the 100m hurdles (14.45) and long jump (5.55m). 

Worcester State comes in next on the poll in third. The Lancers were the fifth place team at last year’s meet. Eryca Lopes finished in 6th with a 9.63m leap in the triple jump. She also was ninth in the long jump with a 4.68 mark. 

The Falcons of Fitchburg State are the fourth team in this year’s poll. Last season, Ephemian Bailey had the furthest throw in the discus with a top distance of 36.75m.

Closing out the women’s poll in fifth and sixth are Framingham State and Massachusetts Maritime. At last year’s championships, the Rams had their strongest showing since the program began with four individual MASCAC titles. Alyssa Caputo had a trio of fourth place finishes in the shot put (9.42m), discus (29.61m) and hammer throw (31.94m). For the Buccaneers, Sydney Sawyer was fifth in the weight throw with a top heave of 23.98m and sixth in the javelin with a toss of 24.95m.

Bridgewater State, Fitchburg State, Framingham State, Massachusetts Maritime and Worcester State begin their outdoor season on Saturday at the BSU Bears Invitational while Westfield State kicks off the season as the Wesleyan Spring Classic.