Westfield, Mass.— Westfield State has been picked by the coaches in the league to win their sixth straight MASCAC Women’s Cross Country Championship. 

The Owl had four first place votes to earn the top spot. During the 2024 Championship, Westfield State had eight of the top 10 finishers over the 5k race. Tealei Chandonnet was second with a time of 18:56 while Julianne Kelly was third with a time of 19:05 and Shea Hamel next in fourth in 19:20. Sophia Rebenciuc earned MASCAC Rookie of the Year honors as the top first time performer with a 5k time of 19:27.

Earning two first place votes is Bridgewater State in second. For the second straight year, the Bears’ Naomi Cass was the top overall finisher to earn herself Runner of the Year honors with a time of 18:31, a good 25 seconds faster than the next competitor.

Framingham State is up next in third with the final first place vote. Meghan Johnston led the Rams, securing 11th place with a time of 20:19.61 at the 2024 MASCAC Championship.  

Landing in fourth is Worcester State. Leah Berg would lead the way for the Lancers at last season’s championship with a 12th place finish in a time of 20:32.

Sitting in fifth place is Fitchburg State. At her first MASCAC Championship, Amanda King paced the Falcons, placing 32nd overall with a time of 23:14.07 over the 5K layout.

Closing out the 2025 preseason poll are Massachusetts Maritime and MCLA in sixth and seventh with 14 points and six points, respectively. For the Buccaneers, Grace Condinho was the top fnisher for the team in 34th place. She finished the race with a time of 23:27.59.  For the Trailblazers, it is a rebuilding year under new head coaches Zac Farber and Julia Dessart. 

Over the next few weeks, the six MASCAC women’s cross country teams will begin their season culminating with the MASCAC Championship on November 1 hosted by Westfield State.