Miami Cross Ready for Opportunity to Compete

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – It’s all about the opportunity to compete this weekend.

That’s something Dillon Fields hasn’t taken for granted ever since the Miami’s cross country team returned to campus for the 2020 season.

With the Hurricanes traveling to Gainesville, Fla., for the first of three races this season, Fields and company are going out there with something to prove.

“I’m pumped to see what we can do, and I really think we have a new team on deck with a different mindset this year,” Fields said. “We’re a lot stronger this year and have a bit of a chip on our shoulders and I know we’re going to work hard for each other.”

Miami will be joined by Florida State, Georgia Tech and host Florida at the Mountain Dew Invitational on Friday at the Mark Bostick Golf Course. Fields and the Hurricanes men are slated for a 7:55 a.m., start time in the 8K followed by the women’s 6K set for 8:30 a.m.

Cody Halsey enters her second year leading the distance squad and is eager to see her young team race for the first time in months.

“I just want to see them go out there and compete and show really good effort and be proud of that effort when they are done racing,” Halsey said.

With a year of training with coach Halsey under his belt, Fields is more confident in his ability and fitness level heading into the first race of his sophomore season.

It’s the preparation he hopes will translate on the course after a full summer of rigorous training.

“I really just want to open the season and focus on a strong race because I definitely feel a lot more prepared this season,” Field said. “It’s been a while and I’m excited to get out there. I really want to see myself break 25 [minutes] in the 8K this season, which I think is an attainable goal.”

With Friday’s race quickly approaching, both Fields and Halsey feel grateful for the opportunity that the Canes are presented with.

“We all know so many athletes that don’t have the opportunity to race this season, so having the opportunity is awesome,” Halsey said. “We’re always trying to get better and I think that’s a big part of why I’m so excited they actually get the opportunity and we’re definitely going to take advantage of it.”