BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- The Bridgewater State University women's cross country team has been picked to finish in first place at the 2021 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Championships as the MASCAC Women's Cross Country Preseason Coaches Poll was released today by conference director of media relations, Emily Loux.

The Bears received 34 points in the poll including four first place votes to edge Westfield State University. The defending champion Owls picked up 33 points and three first place votes. Worcester State University rounded out the top three teams in the poll with 24 points.

Under the guidance of head coach Connor Foley (4th Year), the Bridgewater State women's cross country team will return to action for the first time since 2019. The Bears finished in second place at the 2019 MASCAC Championships.

Seniors Kenzie Kennedy (North Providence, R.I.) and Megan Leary (North Attleboro, Mass.) as well as juniors Maura Bruns (Franklin, Mass.), Julie Glavin (Weymouth, Mass.) and Emma Rand (Salem, Mass.) each return from the 2019 squad and will help lead the Bears in 2021.

The Bears will open the season on Friday, September 3rd (5:30) when they travel to the Mark Coogan Cross Country Course in Attleboro, Massachusetts for a quad meet with Babson College, UMass Dartmouth and host Wheaton College. The 2021 MASCAC Championships will take place on Saturday, October 30th at the Doyle Conservation Center in Leominster, Mass. with Fitchburg State University serving as the host institution.