Fitchburg State Paces Field At Worcester City Meet

Ouellete and Branquinho lead Falcons at annual Worcester meet

WORCESTER, Mass. (September 22, 2012) – The Fitchburg State men’s and women’s cross country teams competed in the 40th annual Worcester City Meet hosted by Worcester State University at Moore State Park this afternoon.

The Fitchburg State men’s team finished fourth overall with a total of 87 points, while the women placed fifth with 107 points total.

For the men, sophomore Eric Ouellette (Ashburnham, Mass./Oakmont) continues to shine for the Falcons, posting a team-best seventh place finish with a time of 28:07 on the courses hilly terrain. Senior Michael Grasela (New Bedford, Mass./New Bedford) also garnered a top 20 finish, placing 11th overall with a time of 28:28, while classmate Will Lary (Winchendon, Mass./Murdock) turned in a 16th place effort with a time of 28:50. Sophomore Brandon Davis (Fitchburg, Mass./Fitchburg) notched a 20th place showing a time of 29:04, while senior Larry Teague (Tyngsboro, Mass./Greater Lowell Tech) cracked the Falcons top five with a time of 32:52.

On the women’s side, senior Chenice Branquinho (E. Freetown, Mass./Old Colony) and freshman Erica Mallozzi (Gardner, Mass./Gardner) both finished with a sub 22:00 time, placing first and second among all Falcon runners. Branquinho finished 17th overall with a time of 21:42, while Mallozzi added a 19th place effort a time of 21:43. Graduate Linda Fortunato (Feeding Hills, Mass./Agawam) chipped in with a 19th time of 22:09, while Braila Roy (Hyannis, Mass./Barnstable) and Samantha Wilkinson (Wakefield, Mass./Wakefield) wrapped up the Fitchburg State top five with times of 22:16 and 22:38 respectively.

Fitchburg State will be back in action next Saturday as it visits Keene State College at 11 a.m.