Tampa, Fla. (Sept. 17, 2005)- The University of South Florida men's and women's team opened their season in impressive fashion with both teams finishing in 2nd place at the North Carolina Invitational this morning in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Rounding out USF male runners in the 8K, were
Ryan Thomas (ninth) with a time of 26.43,
Derek Lincoln (11th ), 27.07, Mike Rodriquez (13th ), 27.12,
Eric Mayes (15th ), 27.23,
Brandon Dahlem (20th ), 27.54. In the men's race UNC had a perfect score of 15, followed by USF's 52, and East Carolina University's 76.
“Our men ran well, said cross country coach Todd Morgan. “They need to be a little more aggressive in the middle of the course. “Their times do not reflect their effort they put forth in this race.”
The USF women picked up where they left off last cross country year, finishing second in the team's 2005 season-opening meet.
Bente General led the Bulls in the 5K finishing (fifth) with a time of 18.47,
Jessica Hellender (7th ), 18.58,
Maressa Pinzini (11th ), 19.25,
Lisa Giblin (12th) , 19.31,
Sara Hall (13th), 19.42. UNC scored 18 points, followed by USF with 45, ECU with 76 and Virginia Commonwealth with 98.
“USF's women's cross country team broke up UNC's top five runners and kept the pressure on,” said Morgan.
“This is still a young team and there is much room for improvement over the season,” Morgan said.
The women's “B” team will compete next week at the Embry-Riddle Invitational on Sept. 24, 2005 in Daytona City, Fla. The women's cross-country team will travel to Bronx, N.Y., where they will compete in the Iona Meet of Champions on Sept. 24, 2005.
