Spartans Well Represented in Highly Competitive Mountain Dew Invitational
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - The seventh-ranked University of Tampa women's cross country team competed at the annual Mountain Dew Invitational with a third place finish. UT's men also came in fifth against several Division I opponents at the race that was hosted by the University of Florida.
Jessica Forrester was the top finisher for the Spartans, placing fourth overall out of a total of 125 runners. Forrester was also the lone non University of Florida runner to place in the top seven. She finished with a personal best time of 17:57.16.
With a third-place finish, Tampa finished behind Florida and the University of South Florida. UT also ran without two of its top runners as both Jessica Butler and Paige Williams did not compete.
Comprising the Tampa top-five performers with Forrester were Alysha Duffy (13th, 18:35.73), Katie O'Brien (20th, 19:00.21), heather Nicolosi (30th, 19:18.33) and Dara Fox (32nd, 19:26.21). Also running for the Spartans were Michelle Gabrielle (34th), Sarah Nelson (35th), Leela Hadsock (40th), Maggie Redmond (41st). Danielle Springer (67th), Dayle Van Ess (70th), Kathryn Cummins (89th) and Amber Eisenberg (116th).
Tony Nicolosi paced Tampa's men, finishing 18th out of 139 runners. Florida won the men's race, followed by North Florida, Florida International, Nova Southeastern and Tampa. Nicolosi ran a time of 26:04.81.
The Spartan top five included Nicolosi, Chris Catanach (22nd, 26:22.99), Kevin Lane (45th 27:18.59), Joe Ranalli (55th, 27:33.00) and Gordon Wright (60th, 27:51.97). Other UT men competing were Jordan Bass (65th), Matt Altimari (76th), Tom Buonchristiano (102nd), Greg Moore (104th), Michael Maerz (107th) and Steve Cain (115th).
Tampa is back in action on Sat., Sept. 27, when it travels to Tallahassee for the FSU Invite.