Worcester State Women’s Cross Country Team Places 12th at James Early Invitational

WESTFIELD, Mass – The Worcester State University women's cross country team placed 12^th out of 50 teams competing in the James Early Invitational hosted by Westfield State on Saturday.

University of New England won the meet with a team total of 72 points, while Worcester State scored 347 points and were at the top half of the MASCAC opponents that competed at the meet. Westfield State finished 4^th with 213 points, while UMass Dartmouth placed 13^th with 349 points. Also competing in the meet were conference opponents Plymouth State, Fitchburg State, Framingham State, MCLA, and Salem State – who all placed behind the Blue and Gold Lancers.

The top finisher for Worcester State was freshman Mia Rogers (North Dighton, Mass.) who completed the 5K in 19:23.82, the second fastest time ever run in this race by a Worcester State freshman – behind Erin Donahue's 19:08.24 in 2012.

"Mia ran a well-executed race today," said head coach Gary Jusseaume. She and teammate Laura DelleChiaie (Haverhill, Mass.) ran with leaders through the first mile of the race. With less than a mile from the finish line, Mia was still among the leaders and running strong.

Coming in second for the Lancers was DelleChiaie with a time of 20:20.65 and in 55^th place out of the 409 runners at the meet. Shortly behind DelleChiaie, was freshman Kelsey Bedard (Leominster, Mass.) who placed 78^th with a time of 20:42.97.

"Kelsey was our third team finisher and ran her best race of the season.  Kelsey ran with more confidence and competitive spirit today, especially over the final 800 meters of the race."

Also placing for the Lancers was freshman Mikaela Dionne (Salem, Mass.) at 21:07.70, freshman Shayla Shoeneberger (Vernon, Conn.) at 21:19.80, junior Danielle Cote (Dighton, Mass.) at 21:30.13, and sophomore Sara McIsaac (Weymouth, Mass.) at 21:36.59. They placed 103, 119, 133, and 144, respectively.

"We ran well enough to earn 12th place (19th in 2014), yet as a team we didn't perform quite as expected or at our usual capability level, said Jusseaume. Three of our top six runners are nursing minor injuries and that was the difference in their performances."

Next weekend the team will travel to Springfield, Mass. to take part in the Western New England Invitational.