University of North Florida
Joe Handelman '52 Fall Classic
Lespasio Leads Men's Cross Country to Sixth-Place Finish at Joe Handelman '52 Fall Classic
10/16/2026 6:00:00 PM | Men's Cross Country
PRINCETON, N.J. -Â North Florida men's cross country placed two runners in the top 25 and four in the top 40 in the 8K event to earn a sixth-place finish at the Joe Handelman '52 Fall Classic, hosted by Princeton at Meadows Campus on Friday evening.
The Ospreys totaled 150 points to finish sixth in the 20-team field, just five points behind fifth-place High Point. North Florida finished ahead of No. 24 Princeton, Penn State and in-state opponent Miami (Fla.), in a competitive field featuring eighth-ranked Syracuse, which claimed the team title.
Senior Paul Lespasio continued his impressive 2026 campaign, leading the Ospreys with a 10th-place finish in a time of 24:26.3. Lespasio has now recorded four consecutive top-10 finishes to open the season, including three top-five performances. The senior has led North Florida in each of its last three meets, highlighted by a personal-best 8K time of 24:07.35 at the Georgia Tech XC Invitational on Oct. 2.
Sophomore Parker Banzhaf followed in 22nd at 24:40.0, while redshirt sophomore Alejandro Romagosa crossed the line 29th with a time of 24:51.3. Banzhaf has now recorded three top-25 finishes this season, highlighted by a fifth-place finish and personal-best time of 24:10.13 at Georgia Tech. Romagosa has also put together a strong fall campaign, earning ASUN Runner of the Week honors on Sept. 14 and posting a personal-best 8K time of 24:30.01 at Georgia Tech. Redshirt sophomore Tomer Mualem rounded out four Ospreys in the top 40, finishing 39th with a time of 25:08.4.
Senior Colton Lawson followed in 51st at 25:22.4, while redshirt junior Andrew Mahorner and freshman Oliver Dempsey placed 67th and 69th with times of 25:31.7 and 25:34.0, respectively.
UNF RESULTS
10.  Paul Lespasio – 24:26.3
22. Parker Banzhaf – 24:40.0
29. Alejandro Romagosa – 24:51.3
39. Tomer Mualem – 25:08.4
51. Colton Lawson - 25:22.4
67. Andrew Mahorner – 25:31.7
69. Oliver Dempsey – 25:34.0
96. Joshua Gammage – 25:56.6
104. Samuel Freas – 26:01.6Â
111. Aaron Schmike – 26:09.2Â
148. Demetrie Meyers – 27:04.6Â
TEAM FINISH RESULTS
1. Syracuse – 39 points
2. William & Mary – 82 points
3. Boston College – 128 points
4. George Mason – 138 points
5. High Point – 145 points
6. North Florida – 150 points
7. Saint Joseph's – 157 points
8. Sherbrooke – 237 points
9. Temple – 241 points
10. La Salle – 263 points
11. Princeton – 297 points
12. Robert Morris – 321 points
13. Elon – 396 points
14. Penn State – 398 points
15. Miami (Fla.) – 402 points
16. Idaho State – 443 points
17. Rider – 454 points
18. Monmouth – 458 points
19. NJIT – 495 points
20. Morgan State – 629 points
UP NEXT
North Florida continues its 2026 season at the ASUN Cross Country Championship on Oct. 30 in Richmond, K.Y.
