NEC Preseason Coaches' Poll Predict Central to Finish Third

The Central Connecticut women's indoor track and field team under the direction of ninth year head coach Eric Blake, was predicted to finish third in the 10-team 2017 NEC Coaches' Preseason Poll as announced by the league's front office in the afternoon on Wednesday, Dec. 6.

The Blue Devils finished in fourth with a score of 76.5 behind Fairleigh Dickinson (3), LIU Brooklyn (2) and Sacred Heart (1) who won its fourth consecutive conference title at the 2017 NEC Indoor Championships.

CCSU returns the reigning 2017 NEC Triple Jump Champion, junior Sierra Nesmith, as well as hurdle expert, junior Melissa Wolliston. Last indoor go-around, Wolliston was the 2017 60 meter hurdle NEC runner-up and broke her own school record with a new top mark of 8.68s at the NEICAAA Championships.

The league's two-time defending 3K champion and one of the most prolific women's track and cross country athletes to ever compete at CCSU, senior Brittany Mendelson will embark in her final season of competition for the Blue Devils.

Young talents, sophomore Hailey Rospierski and sophomore Megan Brawner look to lead the underclassmen after coming off of standout rookie seasons.

Pacing the distance group this year will be Nutmeg State juniors Madeline Mondo and Dawn Hubbell.

The women's indoor track and field team kicks off the season this Friday, Dec. 8 at the UConn Pentathlon at noon inside the Hugh S. Greer Field House in Storrs, CT.

WOMEN

1. Sacred Heart (7)
2. LIU (2)
3. CCSU (1)
4. Fairleigh Dickinson
5. Mount St. Mary's 
6. Saint Francis U.
7. Robert Morris
8. Wagner
9. Bryant
10. St. Francis Brooklyn