November 8, 2014
Saint Leo Takes SSC Cross Country Titles; Spartan Women 2nd, Men 4th
Box score
DOVER, Fla. - The University of Tampa served
as the host of the 2014 Sunshine State Conference Cross Country
Championships, as Saint Leo University took home the crown in both
races. The Spartan women were second as its men were fourth. The
race was held at Sydney Dover Trails.
Saint Leo placed five in the top-10 of the men's race,
finishing with 24 total points. Florida Southern (49), Nova
Southeastern (50), UT (96), Florida Tech (135) and Rollins (187)
also competed.
In the women's race, Saint Leo edged seven-time defending
champion Tampa by one point as the Lions placed three runners in
the top five. SLU would finish with 36 points, as UT had 37. Also
running in the women's race was Nova Southeastern (75), Florida
Southern (136), Florida Tech (145), Lynn (149) and Rollins
(171).
Saint Leo's Niclas Bez was the men's champion as the sophomore
ran the 8K in 25:42.30. Joining Bez on the all-championship team
was Valentin Lenz (SLU), Bobby Ormsby (FSC), Rafal Matuszczak
(SLU), Wade White (NSU), Evan Quinones (FSC), Carl Dunne (SLU),
Jonathan Moses (SLU), Long Tran (NSU) and Joe Marrah (SLU).
Tampa's top runner was Tyler Blackburn, who completed the race
in 26:59.80 to place 16th overall. Geremy DeWitt and Lars Benner
were also in the top-20 at 18th and 19th respectively.
In the women's 6K, Saint Leo's Colett Rampf pulled away in the
stretch run to take the individual title with a time of 22:20.20.
Following Rampf and earning all-championship spots were Chantalle
Blundell (UT), Jelena Tancic (SLU), Kari Grippo (SLU), Claudia
Cancello (UT), Sarah Northup (LU), Danielle Kissel (UT), Rachel
Zachar (NSU), Rose Howell (NSU) and Mollie Jones (RC).
The teams will look forward to the 2014 NCAA South Regional,
which is scheduled for November 22. The University of Alabama in
Huntsville will serve as the host.