Lakehawk Cross Country Opens 2025 Season in Lakeland
CLERMONT, Fla. (Cross Country) – The Lake-Sumter State College (LSSC) men's and women's cross country teams have revealed their schedule for the 2025 regular season. The Lakehawks will compete in four regular season matches in preparation for post season competition in late October and early November.
The Lakehawks finished the 2024 season in Richmond, Va. at the 2024 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II Cross Country Championships. While the teams did not place, there was significant gain individually throughout the team.
Nine of the 14 Lakehawks competing recorded new personal records (PR). Six of those student-athletes return for their second year on the team in hopes of returning to the national championship meet this fall in Iowa.
Returning sophomore Spencer Palmer made his mark on the program as a freshman, posting a 27:02.1 8K PR at nationals. As of the start of the 2025 season, Palmer holds two spots in the Lakehawk Cross Country Record Book.
From the women's team, sophomore Oksanna Smith was a force for the Lakehawks as a freshman. She posted a 5K PR of 21:21.4 at the national championship and sits at fourth all-time in the Lakehawk Cross Country Record Book.
The Lakehawks will open the 2025 season at the Swan City XC Classic in Lakeland, Fla. at Holloway Park on Saturday, Sept. 6. The women's race will begin at 7:45 a.m. followed by the men's race at 8:15 p.m.
Fans can access live results here.
Lake-Sumter will have the opportunity to compete among the other two-year teams within the state of Florida including: College of Central Florida, Daytona State College, Eastern Florida State College, Florida Gateway College, Florida State College at Jacksonville, Gulf Coast State College, Pasco-Hernando State College, Pensacola State College, South Florida State College, and Tallahassee State College.
The 2025 Florida College System Activities Association (FCSAA)/NJCAA Region 8 Cross Country Championships are set for Friday, October 24. The race will return to Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, Fla.
From there, the teams will have the chance to travel for the 2025 NJCAA Division II Men's and Women's Cross Country Championships, which will be held at Lakeside Municipal Golf Course in Fort Dodge, Iowa. on Saturday, Nov. 8.
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