XC MEET PREVIEW: ASUN CHAMPIONSHIP

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - North Florida's cross country will make its way to John Hunt Park to compete in the 2022 ASUN Championship on Saturday, Oct. 29. The women's team will make its first strides at 9:00 a.m. EST, while the men will follow at 9:45 a.m. EST.

LAST TIME OUT

The men's cross country team triumphed over several contenders to take home the runner-up title in the Alabama Crimson Classic. Aidan O'Gorman, who finished as the ninth individual, received a third consecutive top-10 finish, while Robert Pedroza and Timothy Doyle received influential top-20 placements.

The women's cross country team took home a 10th-place finish out of 19 contested teams. Isa Leen led the way for the Ospreys for the first time in her career in 40th overall, while Emma Jane Schlageter finished right been Leen in the 6k race.

MAKING STRIDES

The North Florida men captured the first-place rank in the 2021 ASUN Championship for the second straight year. Jake Turner, Timothy Doyle, Aidan O'Gorman and Jared Vazquez are returners that led the team in top 15 during the meet in 2021. They are expected to compete this Saturday in efforts to maintain momentum from last season.

We can expect strong strides from both the men and the women in this year's competition, as well as debuts from newcomer, Macauley Franks, for the men, as well as Ella Chandler, Neve Moulai and Jada Williams for the women.

NOTABLE OPPONENTS

The men's and women's race will include Austin Peay, Bellarmine, Central Arkansas, Eastern Kentucky, FGCU, Jacksonville, Jacksonville State, Kennesaw State, Liberty, Lipscomb, North Alabama, Queens (N.C.), and Stetson. Austin Peay and Queens are newcomers in this year's competition, as they recently joined the conference this summer.

Liberty, Lipscomb and Eastern Kentucky earned the next three slots in the top four behind the Osprey men in the 2021 ASUN Championship. Ahmed Jazhiri finished first last year, while his teammate, Joan Tapias trailed shortly behind in fourth. Jazhiri and Tapias will be senior contenders in the Saturday race.

Last season, Liberty, Lipscomb and Eastern Kentucky secured the first three spots in the women's meet. Senior Hayleigh Palotti from Jacksonville earned an individual second place rank in the 5k and will be competing this year. Liberty's returner Adlyen Ackley and Eastern Kentucky's fifth-year senior, Jone Zabaleta Larranaga earned top five finishes in the 2021 meet.

EVENT SCHEDULE

The women's team will take the course first this time with the 5k race starting at 9:00 a.m. EST. The men's 8k race will follow afterwards at 9:45 a.m EST. Both teams will be racing at John Hunt Park.

PIGG'S POINTS

"It has been a very productive season for both cross country squads. We are ready to race in a field of 14 teams and what looks to be the strongest ASUN field ever. The women have focused on elevating their performance. Each of our ladies have done their part and we have seen an overall team improvement. EJ [Schlageter] has gone from our 7-9 runner to leading the charge and Isa [Leen] has also made great improvements. Veterans Raquel [Lespasio], Mia [McLain], Hannah [Martin] and Camryn [Cooney] have provided a consistent backbone of the top team scorers. Freshmen Neve [Moulai], Jada [Williams] and Ella [Chandler] have made a good transition to college running and have given us the boost that we need to compete at a higher level. I'm very pleased with the effort and the results this season. So, this leads us into the conference championships with higher expectations and the belief that they will be achieved.

The men have a strong tradition. The graduation of Nathan [Jubran] and Noah [Perkins] and redshirting of Jake [Turner] and Seth [Martinez] have created great opportunities for this young squad. We have seen extreme work and dedication across the board. Our top returners Aidan [O'Gorman], Robert [Pedroza] and Timothy [Doyle] have led a strong team in both performance and dedication. The return of veteran Jared Vazquez has been instrumental in the belief and focus of an ASUN Championship performance. Transfer Mac [Franks] has given us a strong boost running very well, as expected. Returners Gavin [O'Brien], Onix [Ortiz] and Aiden [Arnold] have really stepped up to a new level, which has created the opportunity to compete for a conference championship."
-- head coach Jeff Pigg

UP NEXT

After the meet on Friday, the Ospreys will head back to Huntsville Ala. to compete in the 2022 NCAA Regional Championship Friday, Nov. 11.

OSPREYS SCHEDULED TO COMPETE

Men's Team:
Aiden Arnold
Timothy Doyle
Macauley Franks
John McKenzie
Gavin O'Brien
Aidan O'Gorman
Onix Ortiz
Robert Pedroza
Cole Perry
Jared Vazquez
Kameron Wallizada
Thomas Weiler

Women's Team:
Ella Chandler
Camryn Cooney
Isa Leen
Raquel Lespasio
Hannah Martin
Mia McLain
Neve Moulai
Emma Jane Schlageter
Jada Williams