Men’s and Women’s Indoor Track and Field Picked Fourth and Third in MASCAC Preseason Poll

WORCESTER, Mass. – The Worcester State University men's and women's indoor track & field teams have been selected to finish fourth and third places, respectively, in the 2016-17 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Indoor Track & Field championship as voted on by the coaches from around the league.

The Westfield State men's squad, who claimed the 2016 MASCAC Indoor Track and Field crown, received two of the four first place votes to earn the top spot in the poll with eight points. At the 2016 MASCAC/New England Alliance Championship, the Owls earned 220 points to win the conference championship. The team took home the top spot in six individual events and two relays.

Sitting in the second spot is Bridgewater State with one first place vote for seven points. Last season the Bears netted four individual titles and the third relay for a fourth place team finish.

Rounding out the poll in third and fourth are Fitchburg State and Worcester State with five and four points, respectively. Fitchburg State also earned a first place vote in the poll. The Falcons claimed three individual crowns at the 2016 MASCAC Indoor Championship while the Lancers also had three top finishers.

On the women's side, Westfield State looks to win their first indoor crown since 2013. The Owls claimed three first place votes for nine points in the poll. At the 2016 MASCAC Indoor Championship, the team snagged the top spot in five individual events and two relays.

The 2016 MASCAC Indoor Champions Bridgewater State are next in second with the final first place vote for six points. Last season the Bears grabbed their third straight conference indoor title with 10 earning All-Conference honors as the top event finisher and the third relay.

Worcester State and Fitchburg State complete the women's preseason poll in third and fourth with five and four points, respectively. The Falcons finished with one individual winner at the 2016 Indoor Championship.

Bridgewater State, Fitchburg State and Worcester State begin their season this weekend at the UMass Boston Invitational while Westfield State competes at the Springfield College Invitational.

2016-17 MASCAC Men's Indoor Track & Field

Pre-Season Coaches Poll

(First Place Votes In Parentheses)

1. Westfield State (2) 8 points

2. Bridgewater State (1) 7 points

3. Fitchburg State (1) 5 points

4. Worcester State 4 points

2016-17 MASCAC Women's Indoor Track & Field

Pre-Season Coaches Poll

(First Place Votes In Parentheses)

1. Westfield State (3) 9 points

2. Bridgewater State (1) 6 points

3. Worcester State 5 points

4. Fitchburg State 4 points

Release Courtesy of Emily Loux | MASCAC Director of Media Relations