Spartan Women Win Early Bird Classic, Men Finish Third
TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa women's cross country team captured its second straight Early Bird Classic championship as its men placed third in the annual race. While hosting the event, UT had the top three individual finished and five of the top six.
UT's women won with a total of 17 points, defeating Nova Southeastern (89) and Florida Tech (107). Pasco-Hernando CC and Florida Southern finished fourth and fifth respectively.
Jessica Forrester top the top prize, running a time of 18:01. She was followed by teammates Alysha Duffy (18:29) and Jessica Butler (18:39). Paige Williams rounded out the top five with a mark of 18:42. UT's Katie O'Brien was sixth at 18:48.
Michele Gabrielle made it six Spartans in the top 10 as she ran in a time of 19:26. Other notable Spartan finishes were Sarah Nelson (11th), Dara Fox (12th), Margaret Redmond (15th) and Heather Nicolosi (18th).
On the men's side, Nova Southeastern (56) edged Florida Southern (57) while Tampa was third with 82 points. Valdosta State and Florida Tech comprised the remainder of the top five.
Tony Nicolosi turned in an 11th place finish to pace Tampa's men with a time of 22:15. Chris Catanach was 13th (22:15), while Kevin Lane was 16th (22:26) and Jeremy Lautzenheiser 17th (22:33). Jordan Bass rounded out Tampa's top five finishers with a 26th place time of 23:14. Gordon Wright was 28th.
The Spartans are back in action on Sat., Sept. 20, when it travels to Gainesville for the Florida Invite.