LAKELAND, Fla. (Cross Country) – The Lake-Sumter State College (LSSC) cross country team kicked off the 2023 season at the Fire Invitational hosted by Southeastern University. The meet was held at Holloway Park in Lakeland, Fla.
After a week of rain, the course proved to be challenging for those racing on Saturday morning. In addition to the natural terrain of hills, and grass and dirt areas, the course had some muddy and slick sections with an influx of bugs due to the early morning start.
The men took the course first at 7:20 a.m. Host school Southeastern University took the first-place team finish with all seven of their scoring runners placing in the top-25.
For the Lakehawks, sophomore Santos Aguilar came in thirteenth with an 8,000-meter time of 29:13.8. Sophomore Lash Bradshaw finished close behind Aguilar with a time of 29:51.6.
In a field of six teams and 63 runners, the men posted a fifth-place finish and second among National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) teams.
The women ran immediately after the men's race at 8:00 a.m. Palm Beach Atlantic was the winning team with their six runners placing in the top-10.
For the Lakehawks, sophomore Lily Novac led the charge recording a 5,000-meter time of 25:35.5. Freshman Demaris Soto came next posting a time of 27:03.1 in her first collegiate race.
In a field of five teams and 50 runners, the women posted a fifth-place finish and second among NJCAA teams.
Saturday's race was a first for most of the 2023 Lakehawk squad; some their first collegiate race and others their first distance race. Head coach Cristy Snellgroves expressed that she was incredibly proud of the team for their first outing of the season.
"They persevered and ran tough in very challenging conditions. We have a very talented team of freshman athletes who will continue to grow stronger as the season progresses.
"We have really focused on culture and 'team' in the preseason and I have confidence that this will payoff as we move through the season. We will be working hard over the next couple weeks in preparation to compete at Embry Riddle," said Coach Snellgroves.
Final Results – Men
13. Santos Aguilar, 29:13.8
23. Lash Bradshaw, 29:51.6
35. Dylan Royal, 30:38.8 (PR)
49. Caleb Melendez, 32:12.9 (PR)
50. Connor Parrish, 32:21.1 (PR)
53. Logan Shaw, 33:09.2 (PR)
59. Rosendo Manuel Tovar, 34.24.5 (PR)
61. Jovanni Matos, 35:17.6 (PR)
62. Joshua Cargill, 38:16.1 (PR)
Final Results – Women
34. Lily Novac, 25:53.5
36. Demaris Soto, 27:03.1 (PR)
37. Emma Santiago, 27:38.9 (PR)
41. Nasjai White, 31:41.7 (PR)
42. Victoria Silva, 32:36.9 (PR)
43. Madeleine McKenna, 32:37.1 (PR)
46. Rubianna Novac, 34:03.8 (PR)
47. Andrea Morales-Moncada, 35:06.0 (PR)
49. Carley Carrol, 36:31.9
50. Lorelei Teninty, 36:40.5 (PR)
Up next for the Lakehawks
The Lakehawk men's and women's cross country teams will travel to Daytona Beach, Fla. on Saturday, Sept. 16 for the Embry Riddle Cross Country Classic.
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