Tampa Men Open Season With Early Bird Championship
DOVER, Fla. - The University of Tampa men's cross country won the team title at the 2015 Early Bird Classic as the Spartan women finished third overall while being the top NCAA Division II finisher. The annual race was hosted by UT at Dover Trails.
Tampa's men finished with 49 total points, edging the University of South Florida's 56. Also competing were Embry-Riddle (70), Florida Tech (87), Valdosta State (111) and Bethune-Cookman (156).
Cory Munsch turned in a top-five effort as he finished fifth overall with a time of 21:05.74 in the 4-mile race. Joining Munsch in the Spartan top-five were Lars Benner (6th), 21:07.46), Brendan McGonagle (11th, 21:28.49), Joseph Weber (15th, 21:41.14) and Joey Maus (18th), 21:55.80.
UT women totaled 59 points, trailing only South Florida (39) and the University of Central Florida (55). Other teams included Embry-Riddle (78), Florida Tech (130), Bethune-Cookman (179), Valdosta State (215), Florida Southern (220) and Pasco-Hernando Community College (256).
Chantalle Blundell led all Spartans as the senior finished seventh overall with a 2-mile time of 10:50.71. Making up UT's top-five were Claudia Cancello (8th, 11:04.51), Danielle Kissel (17th , 11:36.19), Elaina Cancello (19th , 11:37.55) and Aislinn Sroczynski (23rd, 11:47.79).
The Spartans return to action on Saturday, Sept. 19, in Gainesville at the University of Florida Mountain Dew Invitational. The race is scheduled to start at 7:30 a.m.
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