Three Canes Head to Cross Country Regional
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Three members of the University of Miami cross country team will represent the Hurricanes at the 2015 NCAA Division I Cross Country South Regional.
Gabrielle Hesslau and Anne Den Otter will compete in the women’s 6K set to begin at 10 a.m. ET, while Sean Grossman will run in the men’s 10K scheduled for 11 a.m. ET.
“Even though we won’t be able to have a team score, having them compete at a NCAA regional meet will give them needed experience for the remainder of the season, as well as next year,” Miami distance coach Damon Griffiths said.
Hesslau and Den Otter were the top two women for the Hurricanes throughout the 2015 cross country season and they will look to continue their strong seasons in Tuscaloosa.
A junior, Hesslau was Miami’s top finisher in every race during the 2015 season. The talented runner from Downers Grove, Ill., posted four Top 5 finishes this season including victory at the FAU Invitational for the second consecutive year. Hesslau was outstanding at the ACC Cross Country Championships, posting a time of21:43.2 that ranks third on UM’s all-time women’s 6K list.
“I feel that Gabby is as talented as any of the women in this field,” Griffiths said. “This is the moment for her to prove it to herself.”
Den Otter was very impressive in her freshman season at Miami. A native of West Lawn, Pa., Den Otter was the second Hurricane to cross the finish line in every women’s race this season. The freshman finished second to Hesslau at the FAU Invitational and posted two Top 20 finished this season. She ranks eighth on UM’s all-time 5K list and just missed cracking the Top 10 on Miami’s all-time women’s 6K list with a time of 22:44.1 at the 2015 ACC Cross Country Championships.
Grossman was Miami’s top male performer in 2015, posting three Top 10 finishes on the season. The sophomore led the Hurricanes in four of their five races this season, posting a season-best 8K time of 26:01.2 at the ACC Cross Country Championships.
The 2015 NCAA South Regional Championships will be held on Friday, November 13, at the Harry Pritchett Running Park in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The South Regional will feature competitors from 47 different schools.
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