Women’s Cross Country Competes at Connecticut College Invitational

WATERFORD, Conn. – The Worcester State University women's cross country team took 12^th place of 21 teams at the Connecticut College Invitational Saturday afternoon on the 6K course.

THE BASICS
October 7, 2017
Connecticut College Invitational
Harkness Memorial State Park

TOP-10 TEAM SCORES
1^st Place: Middlebury (36)
2^nd Place: Tufts (48)
3^rd Place: RPI (138)
4^th Place: Trinity (144)
5^th Place: New Paltz St. (171)
6^th Place: Brandeis (185)
7^th Place: Plattsburgh St. (189)
8^th Place: Coast Guard (214)
9^th Place: Ramapo (231)
10^th Place: Connecticut College
11^th Place: Springfield (333)
12^th Place: Worcester State (357)

WORCESTER STATE TOP-7
16^th Place: Mia Rogers (23:08.8)
93^rd Place: Julia Carrier (24:48.6)
95^th Place: Justine Murdocca (24:49.9)
131^st Place: Elisabeth Olson (25:29.3)
144^th Place: Courtney Guay (25:45.6)
156^th Place: Riley Shaughnessy (26:03.4)
166^th Place: Kelsey Bedard (26.11.1)

RECAP

Coast Guard's Kaitlyn Mooney won the race with a time of 21:35.8, while Middlebury took the team title with a team score of 36 as five Middlebury runners placed in the top-10. Worcester State's first runner to cross the finish line was Mia Rogers (North Dighton, Mass.) as she finished the 6K race in a time of 23:08.8. Worcester State's Julia Carrier (Oxford, Mass.) and Justine Murdocca (Milford, Mass.) were the next two Lancers to finish as they came in 93^rd and 95^th of 273 runners competing. Elisabeth Olson (Wilmington, Mass.) came in 131^st place, and Courtney Guay (Londonderry, N.H.) was not far behind at 156^th place. Riley Shaughnessy (New Bedford, Mass.) and Kelsey Bedard (Leominster, Mass.) wrapped up the top-7 for Worcester State.

COACHES CORNER
Head coach Gary Jusseaume commented on Rogers' performance, "Neither heavy rain nor a sloppy course deterred Mia from attacking this race with many of the best runners in the Northeast.  The game plan was to run a solid race in preparation for the MASCAC Conference championships later this month.  Her race was tactically sound and her performance better than expected."

"Carrier and Murdocca each ran an excellent race, pushing and pulling each other through the final third of the race, the scratching out a strong finishing kick," said Jusseaume. "Guay ran what I believe is her best race of the season to date.  She's regained much racing self-confidence which makes her key player ready to add much sought after depth to the team come the conference meet."

"Our team race focus for today's meet was two-pronged," said Jusseaume.  "Some ran the race at best  effort, while others focused upon using the race to work on tactics and as a strong  workout.  This approach best prepares us for the training regimen leading to the conference championship."

UP NEXT

The cross country team will take a week off next week to prepare for the MASCAC Championships that will be hosted by Westfield State at Stanley Park on Saturday, October 28.

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