Women Have Historic Day at Regionals
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The University of Miami women’s cross country squad made program history at the NCAA South Regional Championships on Friday morning.
The women came 13th with 414 points, marking the best finish in school history at the event and besting the previous record set in 2010 (17th; 476 points).
“These women took big risks today that didn’t necessarily pay off, but they will in the future,” said head coach Cody Halsey. “I’m really very proud of their effort. Any day we can accomplish something that’s never been done in the history of our program is a great day.”
Individually, Daphnee Lavassas had a historic day in her first appearance at the South Regional Championships. The Miami, Fla. native, recorded the fastest regional time by a Hurricane ever, 21:05.98, topping the previous mark of 21:15.5, which was set by Lindsi Arrington in 2013. Lavassas’ time is the second quickest 6K time in school history, surpassing her previous mark of 21:08.2, which was set earlier this season at the historic Paul Short Run. Lavassas was the first Cane to cross the finish line as she placed 45th, the second-best individual finish in the school record book at the event.
Freshman Elle Mezzio followed behind Lavassas as the second Miami runner to finish. Mezzio ran in a time of 21:41.70, the fifth fastest regional time in program history, for 67th-place in her debut at the Regional Championships. The freshman’s finish of 67th is the sixth highest in the program record book at the event.
“Daphnee was the ninth fastest freshman on the course today,” Halsey added. “She also posted the fastest time of any female in Miami’s history at an NCAA Regional meet. Elle [Mezzio] wasn’t far behind breaking into our top-five best individual finishes.
“Overall, this was a great season for a group of mostly freshman. We learned a lot and we will continue to grow as a team. I’m looking forward to the future of Miami Cross Country.”
Emma Langlois rounded out the top-three Hurricanes to finish in the top-100 as she claimed 90th and clocked in at 22:04.89. Langlois moves into eighth for the best finish at Miami at regionals and 10th in finish time at the NCAA race in Hurricanes’ history.
Tying the 10th-best place finish in the school record book, Natalie Varela finished 111th after she ran in 22:28.4.
Representing the men for Miami was Andrew Madden and Austen Cannon. Madden finished first for the duo in a time of 33:46.27 (134th), while Madden crossed the finish line in 34:21.05 for 142nd-place.
