Rookie of the Year Merck Picks Up MASCAC Weekly Award

Westfield's Zac Bentley and Jack Merck earned weekly awards from the MASCAC.
Westfield's Zac Bentley and Jack Merck earned weekly awards from the MASCAC.

Westfield State freshman Jack Merck (West Springfield, Mass.) was named as the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week after competing at the MASCAC Championship meet this past weekend at Moore State Park.

 Merck, who placed ninth at the meet, was also named as the league's Rookie of the Year as the top finisher among first-year collegiate competitors.  He covered the men's 8,000 meter (5 mile) course in 28:03.     He earned All-Conference honors with his top-10 finish.

Merck is joined on the MASCAC All-Conference team and the weekly honor roll by Owls' senior Zac Bentley (Acushnet, Mass./Taunton, Mass.).   Bentley finished 10th at the MASCAC Championship meet in 28:16 to claim the final spot on the All-Conference team.

Westfield State will be idle next weekend while prepping for the NCAA Regional qualifying meet, which will be held November 16 at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine.