Canes XC Ready for USF Invitational
TAMPA, Fla. – The University of Miami cross country team will run its first race of the month Friday at the USF Invitational.
The Hurricanes, who last competed at the UF Mountain Dew Invitational on Sept. 24, have been training in preparation for the final portion of their 2016 schedule. Eight women and eight men are set to race at USF, with the women’s 5K beginning at 5 p.m. ET, followed by the men’s 8K at 5:45 p.m. ET.
“We have looked better at practice since Mountain Dew,” Miami distance coach Damon Griffiths said. “We have another opportunity to compete against some strong ranked teams from our region.”
Miami’s women are led by senior Gabrielle Hesslau. She has been the Hurricanes’ top runner all season, finishing in the top 12 in all three of her races and opening up with her third straight win at the FAU Invitational.
Sophomores Anne Den Otter and Carla Rodriguez are two other Canes expected to make a push at USF, while Megan Brown, Sophia Corde, Mulloy Manning, Sarah Raboff and Olivia Raymond will round out the group of Hurricanes racing on Friday.
“The top five ladies have looked like a new unit at practice,” Griffiths said. “It is time for them to execute those race plans on Friday.”
On the men’s side, upperclassmen Sean Grossman and Jon Keller continue to pace the Hurricanes. Grossman was Miami’s top male competitor at the FAU Invitational and the Mountain to Sea Duals, while Keller led the way at the UF Mountain Dew Invitational.
“Jon and Sean should lead the men again,” Griffiths said. “But will need more consistency from the second pack to get the team result that we want.”
Luke Dublirer, Tom Gassner, Adam George, Sean Hagert, Nick Kaleel and Michael Miano complete the Hurricane men slated to run at USF. Miami’s men, who have finished in the top five at all three of their races this year, are in pursuit of their fourth consecutive top five score.
Following this weekend’s races in Tampa, the Canes will host the Miami Duals on Oct. 20. The Miami Duals will be Miami’s first home cross country event since hosting the Miami Greentree Invitational in 2012. It will also be The Hurricanes’ final race before the 2016 ACC Cross Country Championships in Cary, N.C., on Oct. 28.
NCAA Regional Championships are slated for Nov. 11 in Tallahassee, Fla., with the NCAA Championships taking place on Nov. 19 in South Bend, Ind.
Miami Lineups
Men: Luke Dublirer, Tom Gassner, Adam George, Sean Grossman, Sean Hagert, Nick Kaleel, Jon Keller, Michael Miano
Women: Megan Brown, Sophia Corde, Anne Den Otter, Gabrielle Hesslau, Mulloy Manning, Sarah Raboff, Olivia Raymond, Carla Rodriguez
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