#XC Teams Close Regular Season at Crimson Classic

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The regionally-ranked North Florida cross country teams will conclude the regular season portion of their schedules Friday evening in the Crimson Classic at the Harry Pritchett Running Park. The women's 5K race starts at 5 p.m. (CST) followed by the men's 8K at 5:30 p.m. (CST)

The UNF men's team, currently ranked 8th in the USTFCCCA South Region, look to continue its solid campaign having finished in the top three teams at all four races this season. Sophomore Michael Damato leads the charge having finished as the top Osprey runner in each of the last three events including a third-place finish in the Upstate Invitational.

With one team title and a pair of runner-up showings in four races thus far, the Osprey women's team also hopes to extend its streak of strong performances. Ranked 14th in South Region's most recent poll, freshman Eden Meyer and senior Andelka Tancic have provided the squad with a tough one-two punch at the top of the lineup.

"Practices are going great and the energy level is high as we will be facing our best competition of the year," said head coach Jeff Pigg. "We are looking forward to the challenge that lies ahead. All year long we have planned to be running our best at the end of October. That is fast approaching and our runners appear to be on track. Friday's field is packed with talented programs including: Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Mississippi State and several other very good teams. It will provide a great opportunity for us to see how we stack up against some quality cross country programs. We are getting close to having all of our top seven men and women in top form, which is exciting with the ASun Championships just around the corner."

Following the Crimson Classic, North Florida will have two weeks to prepare for the Atlantic Sun Championship meet on Nov. 1 in DeLand, Fla.

The Field at the Crimson Classic
University Men (33 teams) Alabama, Alabama State, Auburn, Belmont, Blue Mountain, Clemson, Emmanuel, Georgia Tech., Jacksonville State, Kennesaw State, Louisiana Tech, Loyola - New Orleans, LSU, Meridian Community College, Mississippi State, Mississippi Valley, North Florida, Oxford College, Rice, Sam Houston State, Samford, Southeastern Louisiana, South Alabama, Stephen F. Austin, Stillman, Tennessee, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Trevecca Nazarene, Troy, Tulane, Louisiana-Monroe, Texas-San Antonio, West Alabama.

University Women (38 teams) Alabama, Alabama A&M, Alabama State, Auburn, Belmont, Blue Mountain, Brenau, Clemson, Emmanuel, Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Jacksonville State, Kennesaw State, Loyola-New Orleans, LSU, Meridian Community College, Mississippi State, Mississippi Valley, North Florida, Oxford College, Sam Houston State, Samford, Southeastern Louisiana, South Alabama, South Carolina, Southern Miss, Stephen F. Austin, Stillman, Tennessee, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Trevecca Nazarene, Troy, Tulane, UAB, Louisiana-Monroe, Texas-San Antonio, West Alabama.

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Players Mentioned

Michael Damato

Eden Meyer

Andelka Tancic

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