TAMPA - With one last chance at competition before the conference championships, the University of South Florida cross country team will look to build momentum at the Stetson Invitational Friday in Deland, Fla. The women will run the 5k at 5 p.m., while the men will compete in the 8k beginning at 5:40 p.m.
"We should go in and run well," said assistant coach Dena Reif. "It is supposed to be a fast course. Our goal on both sides is to go in and not only run well, but win."
USF ran a race with limited numbers last weekend at the Disney Invitational in Orlando, while the last full squad run occurred two weeks ago, when the Bulls flew up to Pennsylvania to compete in the Paul Short Invitational Oct. 2.
Sophomore Nicole Rozario posted the top time for the Bulls for the third time in three meets, finishing the 6k race in a time of 21:24, good for 39th out of a total of 363 runners. Yasmin Smith, Allie Prendergast and Jen Wynands went 2-3-4, finishing in the top 4 behind Rozario for the third time this season as well.
On the men's side, senior Ryan Courtoy ran a 26:09 in the 8k to cross the line first for the Bulls. Junior Pedro Carela came in second seven seconds later, while Felix Soto, Phillip Wise, Robert Sudduth and Lucas Simari all finished within 30 seconds of each other.
"We've had two weeks since the Lehigh meet to rest and then get back on our feet, so we are ready to go," said Reif.
Last Saturday USF ran the Disney Invite, with sophomore Kristi Degraw-Higgins taking the top spot with a time of 21:14.40. Meagan Smithyman, Caroline Northup and Leandra Mikos rounded out the top 4.
Most importantly on Friday, the Bulls will use the Stetson Invitational as a tune-up for the BIG EAST Conference Championships, set for Oct. 31 in Kenosha, Wis.
"We have a good chance to run some of our best times yet this season to build confidence for the conference championships," said Reif. "The weather will be really good for us. We just need to work together to get a solid pack going for us throughout the race.
"We need to race well as we move forward to the BIG EAST."
