Miami XC Opens at WA Invitational

Miami XC Opens at WA Invitational

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami cross country program will kick off their 2013 season Saturday at the WA Collegiate Invitational.

The Canes have talented rosters on both the men’s and women’s side. Miami distance coach Damon Griffiths is excited about his crop of runners this year.

“I think this is the most experienced group that we have had at Miami in a while,” Griffiths said. “We have added some newcomers and look to them to able contribute this season. Training has gone well the past two weeks and they are really starting to gel.”

Miami will be led by veterans on both squads. The women’s team features talented seniors Lindsi Arrington, Alaine Tate and Brooke Dovell, while the men’s side will be carried by seniors Sean Pezzulo, Connor Adams, JaCee jarnagin and Luke Fontaine.

“They have all made strides over the summer and have the comeback in great fitness,” Griffiths said. “They have looked fantastic at practice.”

Griffiths is also excited about the newest Canes to join the program and expects them to be an asset as Miami competes in the ACC.

“Jonas Frenzel comes to us for Grad school from Germany,” Griffiths said. “He was run 9:09 for steeplechase and 3:55/15:07 for 1500m/5000m. Jon Keller is a freshman from Minnesota that will has a huge upside and we expect him to develop in the longer distances. On the women’s side, Gabrielle Hesslau is from Illinois and has run competitive races from 800 to 5000m.”

Heading into this weekend’s season-opening race, Griffiths hopes to see his runners post competitive times in what is one of the shorter races of the season.

“This race this weekend will be run at shorter distances than the championship season,” Griffiths said. “The goal for every contest is always to be competitive as possibly as a team and as individuals. I expect the competition (FAU, FIU, FGCU and Nova Southeastern) to put in a strong effort.”

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