#MXC Looks To Make History at #ASunXC Championships

Saturday, November 1

DeLand, Fla.

9:30 a.m.

University of North Florida

Atlantic Sun Championship

Photo by: Todd Drexler

10/31/2014 9:00:00 AM | Men's Cross Country

By: North Florida Athletics

DeBARY, Fla. -- The North Florida men's cross country team seeks its first Atlantic Sun Conference championship Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m., at River City Nature Park.

The Ospreys, currently ranked No. 6 in the latest USTFCCCA South Region poll, have finished top three in four of their five races this season including a pair of team championships. UNF's best finish at the conference meet was a tie for third in 2009.

"This is a very excited group and we cannot wait to get to the Atlantic Sun Championship meet this weekend," said head coach Jeff Pigg. "We have been waiting all year long for this weekend and our development as the season progressed indicates that we should be in the hunt for a title. This season has been very enjoyable and what makes it better is that we continue to improve even this late in the season. Our group of young guys is putting things together."

Sophomore Michael Damato, an All-Atlantic Sun and All-Freshman honoree last season, leads the UNF lineup. Damato has been the squad's top finisher in every race he's competed in this season and owns a trio of Top 10 overall showings this year. He clocked a personal best time of 24:59.23 at the Mt. Dew Invitational.

"Mike Damato has been so consistent as our front runner," Pigg stated. "He showed up here very prepared following a great summer of training."

The freshmen duo of Tyler Bennett and Nick Morken have provided the Ospreys with strong performances near the top of the lineup. Morken has been among the squad's top three performers in every race including a team top showing at the Hatter Invitational, a race run on the same course as this weekend's race. He owns a personal best time of 25:10.79, run at the Mt. Dew Invitational, while Bennett's best time also came at the Mt. Dew in 25:02.51. Bennett has been UNF's number two runner in each of the last four races.

"Tyler Bennett and Nick Morken have had very stong freshmen campaigns," added Pigg. "They both possess a nice combination of talent backed by desire, which has them running very well. Neither of them go into a race 'hoping to be good', they plan to be good. Tyler and Nick bring such a winning attitude to our group and it has helped us navigate our way to higher levels of performance."

Sophomore transfer Brad Hort and junior twins Jeremy and Justin Bryan have provided both leadership and strong depth for the squad. Hort has consistently been the team's fourth finisher in races and raced a season best time of 25:22.28 at the Mt. Dew Invitational. The Bryans also collected personal best marks at the Mt. Dew with Justin finishing in 25:34.56 and Jeremy clocking a 25:44.19.

"Brad Hort, a transfer from the University of Georgia, has been very nice addition to the team," continued Pigg. "He works hard and he wants to win. Brad was a Footlocker finalist in high school and is in the early stages of a great career here at UNF. Justin and Jeremy continue to be very consistent with their work and detail oriented practices. They were counted on heavily last season and now with some other help up front they have less pressure and more opportunity. We are expecting to see a great race from both of them this weekend."

Rounding out the lineup for the Ospreys this weekend will be senior Jacob Fuller and a pair of freshmen, Tyler Stahl and Wesley Norton. This trio has been a solid group that has helped push UNF top finishes this season. Fuller posted a personal best time of 25:51.83 at the Upstate Invitational earlier this month while Stahl ran a personal best 26:14.45 at the Mt. Dew Invitational. Norton, a Jacksonville native and Stanton Prep product, also posted his best time at the Mt. Dew finishing in 27:08.52.

"Jacob Fuller continues to show signs that he is very fit," Pigg concluded. "If he races like he has practiced, then this weekend he will be a top five runner for us. Tyler Stahl and Wesley Norton have done a very nice job to put themselves into our top nine and on the list to compete at the A-Sun Championship as freshmen. These guys are gaining valuable experience and really add to our winning environment."

After competing Saturday in the Atlantic Sun Championship, North Florida turns its attention to the NCAA South Regional in Tallahassee, Fla., on Nov. 14.

Get all the latest information on the team by following @OspreyXCTF on Twitter. General athletic news can be found at UNFOspreys on Facebook and Instagram.