Fitchburg State Runs To First Place Finish At MASCAC Championship

McCormack earns top spot for men's team; Page leads women with 6th place finish

WESTFIELD, Mass. (October 25, 2008) - The Fitchburg State men's and women's cross country team's put forth a strong showing at the Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference championships as the men's team ran to a first place finish in their 8K race. The women's team was also solid, turning in a fourth place finish in their 5K race.

With the strong showing, Fitchburg State cross country coach Jim Jellison earned MASCAC Coach of the Year honors, while leading his men's team to their best finish of the season. Jellison is in his 30th season as the head coach of the Falcon's cross country team.

Senior captain Phil McCormack (Fitchburg, Mass./Fitchburg) led the Fitchburg State men's team with a fourth place finish overall, totaling a team-best time of 26:52. Sophomore Matt Spano (Gardner, Mass./Gardner) was also solid for the Falcons, placing seventh overall with a time of 27:09. Junior Kyle Schaffer (Hudson, Mass./Hudson) turned in a strong performance, finishing 11th with a time of 27:15, while newcomer Chris Kibler (Bath, Maine/Morse) notched a time of 27:56 and a 14th place finish.

On the women's side, freshman Katelyn Page (Beverly, Mass./Beverly) turned in the Falcons best women's performance in her first conference championship run, totaling a time of 20:14 for a sixth place finish. Junior Stephanie Jarvis (Hopedale, Mass./Hopedale) ran strong with a time of 21:22 and a 14th place finish, while senior captain Emily Sullivan (Billerica, Mass./Billerica) rounded out the Falcons top three with a 31st place finish and a time of 22:07.

Fitchburg State is set to continue its strong running as it participates in the Alliance Meet next Saturday morning at Westfield State College.