WORCESTER STATE MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY TAKES A RUN AT COMMUNITY SERVICE 

Over the past month, members of the Worcester State College men's cross country team have gotten involved in two local road races in an effort to do some team community service projects. 

The first one, on November 11^th, was a fund raiser for Habitat for Humanity where members of the team raised $408 to be the second highest contributor from the race.

The pledge money from the Worcester State men's cross country team and the other participants will be added to the fund that will provide a local family with a new home when completed.

Since the team had run the NCAA New England Qualifying race the day before, only a couple of those who did not compete, ran the Habitat for Humanity race while teammates provided support and helped raised money. 

Freshman Adam Boudreau was the winner in his age group for the 5K distance.                                  

The second effort to be of service was on December 1 at the Ric Buxton Memorial Road Race. The race was in memory of a local runner, Ric Buxton, who had been greatly involved in the local running community prior to his untimely passing about ten years ago.

In memory of Ric, a Worcester State grad, a scholarship fund had been created to benefit a deserving Worcester State student who exhibited academic excellence.

The Central Mass Striders, Ric's running club and organizer of the race, has also matched the money raised at the race each year for the scholarship fund.

When head coach Al Halper was contacted to see if any of the team might want to participate, Coach Halper declined on behalf of the team as they had opened their indoor season the day prior on December 1.

However, Coach Halper, who was a close personal friend of Buxton, urged his men's team instead to help on the course and at the finish line. Their efforts helped the race to run smoothly and with great success.

The members of the Worcester State men's cross country team have all season given unselfishly to the team's success. Whether training day to day or being involved in these outside activities, the team members have been supportive of each other and had a strong chemistry. 

Despite their many responsibilities including amount of time needed to train, their rigorous academic load, personal time for family and friends, and for most, the need to work to pay for college, the guys on the Worcester State squad were able to make the commitment to help others. 

The road races provided a good fit for the team and the opportunity to help out in a way that was close to their hearts.