Canes XC Races at ACC Championships
CARY, N.C. – The University of Miami cross country team competed against conference foes at the 2016 ACC Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Championships on Friday.
Fourteen Hurricanes raced at the ACC Cross Country Championships, held at the WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary. Six women ran in the women’s 6k race, while eight Canes were in the field for the men’s 8k competition. Both championships were carried live on ACC Network Extra.
“I feel that the results today are not a true indicator on how we raced today,” Miami distance coach Damon Griffiths said. “Leaving with several personal-bests and a school record, I couldn’t have asked for much more.”
Sean Grossman led the way on the men’s side, finishing with a school record time of 24:35.4. The junior bested Jeff Gaulrapp’s record time of 24:37.00 set at the 2000 Big East Championships.
“Sean looked amazing throughout the race,” Griffiths said. He ran under control and passed runners throughout the race. When I saw him at mile four, I knew he was going to run something special.”
Grossman was followed by senior Jon Keller (25:51.5) and freshman Michael Miano (25:58.9).
“I’m really happy with the efforts today, both from myself and from my teammates,” Grossman said. “I think we all laid it out there. The race was fast and I just went with it and just tried to keep rolling through which helped me get the outcome I’ve been waiting for this whole season”
Tom Gassner, Adam George, Sean Hagert, Nick Kaleel and Luke Dublirer also ran for a Miami men’s team that placed 15th with 440 points.
“The men came and laid it all on the line today,” Griffiths said. “Jon and Mike looked good throughout the race.”
Gabrielle Hesslau was the top Hurricane on the women’s side, finishing with a personal-best time of 21:34.3. The senior was Miami’s top female for the third straight year. Sophomore Anne Den Otter (22:44.5) and sophomore Carla Rodriguez (23:11.8) rounded out the top three finishers for the Hurricanes, while Sarah Raboff, Mulloy Manning and Megan Brown completed the group of Miami women that finished 15th with 446 points.
“The ladies ran a gutsy race,” Griffiths said. “Gabby may have gotten caught up in the quick early pace of the race.”
Following the ACC Cross Country Championships, the Hurricanes will turn their attention to the NCAA Regional Championships slated for Nov. 11 in Tallahassee, Fla., with the NCAA Championships taking place on Nov. 19 in South Bend, Ind.
Miami Lineups
Men: Luke Dublirer, Tom Gassner, Sean Grossman, Nick Kaleel, Jon Keller, Michael Miano, Sean Hagert, Adam George
Women: Megan Brown, Anne Den Otter, Gabrielle Hesslau, Mulloy Manning, Sarah Raboff, Carla Rodriguez
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