Cross Country to Open at FAU Invitational
BOCA RATON, Fla. – The University of Miami cross country team is set to open the 2014 season Friday at the FAU Collegiate Invitational.
The Canes will have 17 student-athletes running in the season opening race. The 10 Miami women will hit the 5K course first, racing at 5:30 p.m., while seven Hurricane man will run the course at South County Regional Park at 6:15 p.m.
Miami distance coach Damon Griffiths is looking forward to the start of the 2014 season.
“I am excited to see where we are as a team,” Griffiths said. “This is a good opportunity to see how the team has progressed since we started training.”
The men’s team has six returners led by seniors JaCee Jarnagin and Douglas Dourado. Jarnagin ran the seventh-best men’s 10K time in Miami history at the 2013 NCAA South Regional, finishing the race in 32:10.59. Dourado, who recorded a time of 26:39.34 at the Disney Cross Country Classic 8K last year, was one of eight Canes to compete at the 2013 ACC Championships.
Miami’s women’s team features 10 runners with previous collegiate experience. Senior Ally Finical, who registered a time of 24:24.1 at the Charlotte Invitational 6k last year, is expected to provide veteran leadership. Sophomore Gabrielle Hesslau is another runner to watch this coming season after she posted a season-best time of 25:28.06 at the UF Mountain Dew Invitational 6K and represented the Hurricanes at the ACC Championships.
Men’s Entries: Anthony Ricketts, Adam George Douglas Dourado, JaCee Jarnagin, Jon Keller, Kevin Marsh and Sean Grossman
Women’s Entries: Ally Finical, Gabrielle Hesslau, Janine Dupree, Julia Koch, Kaitlin Hill, Kelly Williamson, Mulloy Manning, Megan Brown, Sara Ryan and Katie Paine.
For all the latest information on the Miami Hurricanes, follow the official Twitter feed, @HurricaneSports, or “Like Us” on Facebook at facebook.com/MiamiHurricanes. Follow @MiamiTrack on Twitter for specific news on UM track and field and cross country.
