Falcons Picked Fourth In Pre-Season Poll

Fitchburg State collect 20 points to earn fourth spot in 2017 preseason poll 

FITCHBURG, Mass. – The Fitchburg State women's cross country team was recently selected fourth with a total of 20 points in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASACAC) Pre-Season Coaches Poll as voted by the league coaches.

Westfield State, last season's MASCAC Women's Cross Country conference champions, claimed six of the seven first place ballots to amass 36 points in this year's poll, while Worcester State collected 29 points to land in second place, which included the final first place ballot. Bridgewater State followed in third with a total of 28 points, while Fitchburg State was picked fourth, collecting 20 points.

Sitting in fifth place was Framingham State with a total of 19 points, while MCLA and Massachusetts Maritime closed out this year's MASCAC women's cross country poll in sixth and seventh place with eight and seven points respectively.

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 in 2013-14.

The Fitchburg State women's cross country team opens it's 2017 season on Saturday, September 2nd as they host its annual Jim Sheehan Alumni Invitational Meet at 10:30 a.m. at the Doyle Conservation Center in Leominster.

PORTIONS OF RELEASE COURTESY OF THE MASCAC