Friday, August 29
Jacksonville, Fla.
7 p.m.
University of South Florida
at
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Florida Intercollegiate Cross Country Invitational
USF CROSS COUNTRY OPENS SEASON FRIDAY AT NORTH FLORIDA’S FLORIDA INTERCOLLEGIATE INVITATIONAL
August 28, 2025 | Cross Country
TAMPA, Fla., (August 28, 2025) – The University of South Florida cross country program begins its 2025 season on Friday evening at the Florida Intercollegiate Cross-Country Invitational, held at Cecil Field in Jacksonville at North Florida. The women's squad will open competition with a 5K at 7 p.m., followed by the men's 8K at 7:30 p.m.
The Bulls will showcase a strong mix of returners and newcomers as they open the fall slate. Among the athletes to watch on the men's side is freshman Cole Stevens, a standout from Lititz, Pa., who brings impressive middle-distance credentials after posting a 1:51 in the 800m and 4:09 in the 1600m during his senior year at Manheim Township high school. Karim Belmahdi, a returner from Chlef, Algeria, looks to build on his success from last season, entering the year with a 1:48.5 personal best in the 1500m — a mark that ranked fourth in the American Athletic Conference.
On the women's side, the Bulls will rely on an exciting group of first-year talent. Ava Heskett, a Naples, Fla., native and state champion at Gulf Coast High School, joins the roster after capturing titles in both the 800m and the mile. Caroline Irvin, a freshman from Nashville, Tenn., brings versatility to the lineup, highlighted by her 6:55 personal best in the 2,000m steeplechase. Delaney Stephens of New Smyrna Beach, Fla., also enters the fall with momentum, coming off an indoor campaign that featured a 5:00 mile and a 10:02 performance in the 3,000m.
"This is always an exciting time of year as we get to see our student-athletes build from the work they've put in over the summer," said Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Erik Jenkins. "We have a great group that includes talented newcomers and experienced returners, and Friday will be an opportunity to measure ourselves against strong competition right away."
The Bulls will return to competition on Friday, Sept. 12, traveling to Huntsville, Alabama, for the Southern Showcase hosted by Jacksonville State.
About USF Cross Country
The USF Cross Country team has earned 2 All-America selections, Christina Benton in 2002 and Gray Mavhera in 1994. 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. 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 Country Erik Jenkins took over the program in 2019. USF hosted the 2018 NCAA Track and Field East Preliminary and the 2021 and 2023 American Conference Outdoor Championship at the USF Track and Field Stadium, as well as the 2022 American Country Cross Country Championship at Holloway Park.
– #GoBulls –
The Bulls will showcase a strong mix of returners and newcomers as they open the fall slate. Among the athletes to watch on the men's side is freshman Cole Stevens, a standout from Lititz, Pa., who brings impressive middle-distance credentials after posting a 1:51 in the 800m and 4:09 in the 1600m during his senior year at Manheim Township high school. Karim Belmahdi, a returner from Chlef, Algeria, looks to build on his success from last season, entering the year with a 1:48.5 personal best in the 1500m — a mark that ranked fourth in the American Athletic Conference.
On the women's side, the Bulls will rely on an exciting group of first-year talent. Ava Heskett, a Naples, Fla., native and state champion at Gulf Coast High School, joins the roster after capturing titles in both the 800m and the mile. Caroline Irvin, a freshman from Nashville, Tenn., brings versatility to the lineup, highlighted by her 6:55 personal best in the 2,000m steeplechase. Delaney Stephens of New Smyrna Beach, Fla., also enters the fall with momentum, coming off an indoor campaign that featured a 5:00 mile and a 10:02 performance in the 3,000m.
"This is always an exciting time of year as we get to see our student-athletes build from the work they've put in over the summer," said Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Erik Jenkins. "We have a great group that includes talented newcomers and experienced returners, and Friday will be an opportunity to measure ourselves against strong competition right away."
The Bulls will return to competition on Friday, Sept. 12, traveling to Huntsville, Alabama, for the Southern Showcase hosted by Jacksonville State.
About USF Cross Country
The USF Cross Country team has earned 2 All-America selections, Christina Benton in 2002 and Gray Mavhera in 1994. 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. 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 Country Erik Jenkins took over the program in 2019. USF hosted the 2018 NCAA Track and Field East Preliminary and the 2021 and 2023 American Conference Outdoor Championship at the USF Track and Field Stadium, as well as the 2022 American Country Cross Country Championship at Holloway Park.
– #GoBulls –
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Players Mentioned
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
Distance
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
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