Miami XC ready for Disney Classic

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami cross country program heads to familiar territory this weekend as they will compete in the18th Annual Walt Disney World Cross Country Classic presented by New Balance.

The Canes will have 15 student-athletes competing at Disney, with eight men running the 8K race and seven women competing in the 5K race. Miami distance coach Damon Griffiths believes this weekend’s races will show where his runners stand as they prepare for the ACC Championships.

“By this time of year, we’re starting to gel as a group,” Griffiths said. “I think that it’s a good indicator going into the final month before conference. We are preparing more for the conference meet by running more as a group and as a team.”

Seniors Lindsi Arrington, Brooke Dovell and Alaine Tate are expected to lead the women, while seniors JaCee Jarnagin, Luke Fontaine and Connor Adams will pace the men’s team.

“Lindsi and JaCee have been looking fantastic at practice,” Griffiths said. “I think they have a great shot to do something special, not just at this meet, but at the ACC meet at the end of the schedule.”

The Canes will be part of a talent-rich field of teams competing at Disney, but Griffiths believes his teams are capable of separating from the pack.

“We’re just focused on going out there and putting together a solid performance,” Griffiths said. “We just have to go out and execute what we’re capable of doing and if we do that then we should be able to have a very strong showing and hopefully a victory.”

Both races will be held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and will be broadcast live on ESPN3.

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