Cross Country Proves Up to the Challenge at Daytona

Picture of Lauren Hughes running and setting a personal best time
September 23, 2024

25 college teams took on the most challenging cross country course in the state of Florida on Friday, and FSCJ came away with finishes in the top half of the pack.

The men's team was led for the third straight week by freshman speedster Benjamin Hale, with fellow Manta Rays Cole Fleming, Camden Budd, Looney, and Kaydan Bowie rounding out the top five with a pack time of 1:30. Bowie, a sophomore runner tackling this course for the second time, improved over one minute from his 2023 race time en route to setting a personal best for the 8,000 meters. The men finished in 9th place just behind Region 8 rivals Lake-Sumter State College.

The women's team, however, leaped LSSC and College of Central Florida with a strong 8th place finish powered by the 1:40 pack time of Zoe Weaver, Zahir Miller, Ashtyn Parsons, Gemma Neeld, and Ellie Cardozo. Freshman Lauren Hughes has started to hit her stride and set a personal best time despite the challenging course conditions.

"We love racing here because it's a really tough course," said head coach Jody Hale. "We needed to work together today if we were to compete with these NJCAA Region 8 colleges, and since we raced as teams we were able to do well."

Next up, the teams travel to the Columbia County Fairgrounds in Lake City for the Florida Gateway Cross Country Invitational on Friday at 6 p.m.

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