Lakehawk Cross Country Kicks Off Season in Orlando

September 3, 2024

ORLANDO, Fla. (Cross Country) – The Lake-Sumter State College (LSSC) men's and women's cross country teams opened the 2024 season at the UCF Invite on Friday.

Although it was an evening race, the climate presented a hot and humid atmosphere for the student-athletes in competition. The UCF cross country course is a flat surface, but consists of three large loops providing a unique challenge for those racing.

In the men's race, freshman Spencer Palmer led the team with a standout performance, taking seventh among National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) runners with a 5,000-Meter (5K) time of 17:03.4.

William Peterson also ran an impressive race, starting strong but facing some challenges with the heat. Peterson took 25^th with a 5K time of 18:27.8.

Head Coach Cristy Snellgroves expressed her optimism for the team's future this season, "we have a young, but very talented team, and I look forward to a few weeks of solid training and racing to see what they can do and how they will improve."

In the women's race, freshman Oksanna Smith led the team, finishing 15^th among NJCAA runners with a 5K time of 23:34.5. Following Smith, Alexis Hume, also in her first race as a Lakehawk, posted a 5K time of 24:40.0.

"I am very excited about the potential of the women's team. With a solid block of training in the coming weeks, I am confident we will see significant improvements," said Coach Snellgroves.

The Lakehawks are eager to build on the momentum from this weekend's race and are focused on their individual growth and development as they prepare for upcoming competition

Final Results – Men

Spencer Palmer – 17:03.4

William Peterson – 18:27.8

Connor Parrish – 18:39.4

Thatcher Clarke – 18:48.3

Dylan Royal – 18:49.4

Jovanni Matos – 18:49.9

Joaquin Francis – 19:35.7

Anthoney Allen – 19:42.2

Owen Kingery – 19:47.9

Bryce Blalock – 19:56.7

Kamarius Worthen – 20:01.3