WESTFIELD, Mass. -- The Westfield State men's cross country team was selected to finish second in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC), as voted on by the league's coaches in the annual preseason poll.
The Owl men placed third as a team at last year's MASCAC championship held at Mount Greylock, and 20th overall at the NCAA Regional Race.
The lone team ahead of the Owls in this year's poll was Bridgewater State who amassed 31 points, receiving three first place votes. Westfield was tied with Worcester State in the poll, as each school received 29 points, but the Owls held two first place votes as opposed to Worcester's none.
Brandon Leclair returns for his senior year, looking to lead the Owls to a MASCAC title. Leclair finished 11th at last year's championship with a time of 28:34.
The Owls take to the course at Worcester State for the first meet of the year, beginning at 10:00 a.m.