BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- Bridgewater State College sophomore Bill Taft has been named the Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Men's Cross Country Runner of the Week.

Taft placed second at the season-opening Roger Williams Invitational this past Saturday.  The Hanson, Massachusetts native helped the Bears capture second place in the team standings as he covered the five kilometer course in a time of 16:26.30.

Last spring during the outdoor track & field season, Taft earned All-New England Alliance honors in the 3,000-meter steeplechase.  He was also selected as the MASCAC Track Athlete of the Week back in April.