Danielle Poto Named MASCAC Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- For the second straight week, Bridgewater State University sophomore Danielle Poto has been selected as the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Women’s Cross Country Runner of the Week.

Poto captured the meet title as she helped the Bears placed second at a tri-meet held on Saturday at Mansfield Hollow State Park in Mansfield, Connecticut.  The North Andover, Massachusetts native covered the 5,000-meter course in a time of 20:27 as she edged host Eastern Connecticut's Kelly Labanara by nine seconds.

Last week, Poto also earned MASCAC Runner of the Week honors as she placed eighth out of 131 harriers at the season-opening Roger Williams Invitational held at Colt State Park.  She covered the five-kilometer course in a time of 20:28.12 as she helped the Bears finish eighth in the team standings.

During her rookie season of 2012, Poto garnered all-conference honors as she placed seventh at the MASCAC Championships.  She also earned All-New England Alliance honors with a 14th place showing at the New England Alliance Championships.

This Saturday, Poto and her teammates will compete at the UMass Dartmouth Invitational.