Friday, October 11
Tallahassee, Fla.
University of South Florida
at
FSU XC Invite
Back on Track: Bulls Return to Competition After Unexpected Break
October 11, 2024 | Cross Country
Tampa, Fla. โย The University of South Florida men's and women's cross-country teams were back in action at the FSU Invite in Tallahassee, Fla.
The men's team secured fourth place out of 11 teams in the 8K, earning 119 points. They held their own against Power 5 programs like Florida State, which led with 41 points, and LSU, which tied with Jacksonville State at 49 points.
Senior Karim Belmahdi led the way for the men's team, clocking a fine 24:46.1 to secure 8th place overall. Following him were sophomore Sean Perry (25:59.3) in 30th, junior Jayven Garcia (26:13.9) in 33rd, and freshman Clayton Knight (26:21.8) in 35th. Rounding out the Bulls' finishers were freshman Andrew Marello (26:39.3) in 49th, John Keester (26:48.3) in 54th, and senior Sebastian Edwards (27:15.2) in 65th.
The women's team placed fourth out of 15 teams competing in the 5K race with 122 points. The Bulls produced two runners in the top 25, with junior Giovanna Meade finishing in 15thย place (17:53.4) and Hailey Cohen placing 21 (18:09.7).ย
Sophomore Delaney Stephens crossed the line in 33rd with a time of 18:26.5, followed by senior Sydney Granack in 43rd at 18:37.9. Junior Chloe Fernander placed 58th with a 19:22.5 finish, while sophomores Catalina Edwards (19:32.6) and Cora Kolodge (19:32.9) finished back-to-back in 64th and 65th, respectively. Senior Victoria Valdez took 70th at 19:42.7, and sophomore Katelyn Thompson rounded out the team in 75th with a time of 19:59.8.
Next up, the Bulls will travel to Witchita, Kansas for the AAC Championship on Saturday, November 2.ย
ย
About USF Cross Country
The USFย Cross Countryย team has earnedย 2ย All-America selections,ย Christina Benton in 2002 and Grayย Mavheraย in 1994.ย The Bulls have advanced to the NCAA Cross Country Championships seven times in program history, three times for the men and four times for the women.ย The USF men's teams have won seven team conference championships and the women have won five team championships. Director of Track & Field and Cross Countryย Erik Jenkinsย took over the program inย 2019 andย during his tenureย the Bulls postedย twelveย program records andย 106ย top 10ย all-time program marks. USF hosted theย 2018 NCAA Track and Field East Preliminary and the 2021 AAC Outdoor Championship at the USF Track and Field Stadium, as well as the 2022 AAC Country Cross Countryย
The men's team secured fourth place out of 11 teams in the 8K, earning 119 points. They held their own against Power 5 programs like Florida State, which led with 41 points, and LSU, which tied with Jacksonville State at 49 points.
Senior Karim Belmahdi led the way for the men's team, clocking a fine 24:46.1 to secure 8th place overall. Following him were sophomore Sean Perry (25:59.3) in 30th, junior Jayven Garcia (26:13.9) in 33rd, and freshman Clayton Knight (26:21.8) in 35th. Rounding out the Bulls' finishers were freshman Andrew Marello (26:39.3) in 49th, John Keester (26:48.3) in 54th, and senior Sebastian Edwards (27:15.2) in 65th.
The women's team placed fourth out of 15 teams competing in the 5K race with 122 points. The Bulls produced two runners in the top 25, with junior Giovanna Meade finishing in 15thย place (17:53.4) and Hailey Cohen placing 21 (18:09.7).ย
Sophomore Delaney Stephens crossed the line in 33rd with a time of 18:26.5, followed by senior Sydney Granack in 43rd at 18:37.9. Junior Chloe Fernander placed 58th with a 19:22.5 finish, while sophomores Catalina Edwards (19:32.6) and Cora Kolodge (19:32.9) finished back-to-back in 64th and 65th, respectively. Senior Victoria Valdez took 70th at 19:42.7, and sophomore Katelyn Thompson rounded out the team in 75th with a time of 19:59.8.
Next up, the Bulls will travel to Witchita, Kansas for the AAC Championship on Saturday, November 2.ย
ย
About USF Cross Country
The USFย Cross Countryย team has earnedย 2ย All-America selections,ย Christina Benton in 2002 and Grayย Mavheraย in 1994.ย The Bulls have advanced to the NCAA Cross Country Championships seven times in program history, three times for the men and four times for the women.ย The USF men's teams have won seven team conference championships and the women have won five team championships. Director of Track & Field and Cross Countryย Erik Jenkinsย took over the program inย 2019 andย during his tenureย the Bulls postedย twelveย program records andย 106ย top 10ย all-time program marks. USF hosted theย 2018 NCAA Track and Field East Preliminary and the 2021 AAC Outdoor Championship at the USF Track and Field Stadium, as well as the 2022 AAC Country Cross Countryย
Players Mentioned
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/ Cross Country
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/ Cross Country
Distance
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/ Cross Country
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