TAMPA, Fla. – The University of Miami cross country team earned Top 10 individual finishes in both the men’s 8K and women’s 6K at the USF Invitational.
Sean Grossman and Gabrielle Hesslau led the Hurricanes at the USF Invitational at The Claw golf course near the USF campus. Hesslau placed fifth in the women’s 6K race, while Grossman finished eighth in the men’s 8K race.
“I saw many good things from this evening’s race,” Miami distance coach Damon Griffiths said. “Practices have been going well the past couple of weeks. Now they need to bring that confidence into the meet setting.”
Hesslau’s fifth place finish came with a personal-best time of 22:00.90. The junior, who has led the Miami women in each of their races this season, moved into fifth place on Miami’s all-time women’s 6K list.
“Gabby pushed the pace early,” Griffiths said. “She remained in second place until the last kilometer. In two weeks, she will be able to close out the race.”
Freshman Anne Den Otter was the next Hurricane to cross the finish line, finishing with a time of 23:50.70, while sophomore Mulloy Manning rounded out Miami’s top three on the women’s side with a time of 24:07.90. Andrea Harrah, Carla Rodriguez, Kelly Williamson, Megan Brown and Sophia Corde rounded out a women’s group that placed seventh with 192 points.
Grossman led Miami’s men with a time of 26:17.00, earning the sophomore’s eighth place finish. Junior Jon Keller was next to cross the finish like of the Hurricanes, placing 13th with a time of 27:03.00. Senior Kevin Marsh rounded out Miami’s top three runners on the men’s side, finishing with a time of 27:42.30. Nick Kaleel, Luke Dublirer, Sean Hagert, David Maldonado and Adam George also competed for a men’s team that placed fourth with 132 points.
“The men came out and competed well today,” Griffiths said. “The middle miles need to improve, but Sean continues to improve each race.”
Following this weekend’s action, the Hurricanes return to Coral Gables to prepare for the 2015 ACC Cross Country Championships on Oct. 30 in Tallahassee.
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