JAMESVILLE, N.Y. – The University of South Florida cross country teams both finished in 13^th place at the BIG EAST Championships on Saturday. The men were 13^th of 14 teams with 397 points, while the women were 13^th out of 16 teams with 348 points. Syracuse (59) was the men's champion and Villanova (26) took the women's race. 

“The BIG EAST is one of the to distance conferences in the country,” said cross country coach Dena Reif. “The men, as a team, ran better than they have all year. Nicole (Rozario) is still dealing with an injury, but Allie (Prendergast) stepped up today in finishing first for us. Our pack was closer together today than it has been, now we need to work on getting it up closer to the leaders.”

Junior Phillip Wise was the top finisher for the men's team, clocking a 27.59.8 to finish in 69^th place. Pedro Carela was next in 28:08.8 for 71^st place, while Lucas Simari crossed the line in 83^rd with a time of 28:48.9. Connor Bauer (86^th, 29:24.5) and Jonathan Bing (88^th, 29:47.5) rounded out the scoring for the Bulls.

One week after finishing her first full race of the season, Allie Prendergast led the women's team with a 54^th-place finish in 23:02.1. She was followed by Yasmin Smith, who crossed the line in 23:21.8 for 60^th. Nicole Rozario, who is still battling some nagging injuries, placed 69^th in 23:39.8, while Shaniel Chambers (82^nd, 24:16.8) and Devin Spoerle (83^rd, 24:16.8) filled in the top five for the women.

The Bulls will now prepare for the NCAA South Regional in Hoover, Ala. on Saturday, Nov. 13. USF will have to finish in the top two to advance to the NCAA Championships in Terre Haute, Ind. on Monday, Nov. 22.

Men's Team Results
1. Syracuse, 59
2. Louisville, 63
3. Providence, 84
4. Villanova, 85
5. Notre Dame, 127
6. Georgetown, 130
7. Cincinnati, 188
8. Marquette, 198
9. DePaul, 280
10. Connecticut, 287
11. Rutgers, 354
12. Pittsburgh, 369
13. USF, 397
14. Seton Hall, 432

Men's Individual Results
69. Phillip Wise, 27:59.8
71. Pedro Carela, 28:08.8
83. Lucas Simari, 28:48.9
86. Connor Bauer, 29:24.5
88. Jonathan Bing, 29:47.5
91. Julian Gines, 30:03.9
96. Sean Foster, 31:07.1

Women's Team Results
1. Villanova, 26
2. Georgetown, 42
3. Syracuse, 79
4. Providence, 90
5. West Virginia, 149
6. Notre Dame, 183
7. Connecticut, 212
8. Louisville, 272
9. Cincinnati, 294
10. Marquette, 298
11. Rutgers, 329
12. DePaul, 335
13. USF, 348
14. St. John's, 423
15. Pittsburgh, 443
16. Seton Hall, 505

Women's Individual Results
54. Allie Prendergast, 23:02.1
60. Yasmin Smith, 23:21.8
69. Nicole Rozario, 23:39.8
82. Shaniel Chambers, 24:16.8
83. Devin Spoerle, 24:19.2
93. Christine Johnston, 25:08.5
100. Rachel Etienne, 25:38.2
122. Kristy Cooper, 25:55.8
127. Kristi Degraw-Higgins,26:26.3