The No.27/RV Florida State Cross Country teams hosted the FSU XC Invitational on Friday at Apalachee Regional Park as the men’s team collected its second win of the season.
“I’m really pleased with how well the guys executed the race as a team today,” FSU assistant coach Ian Frazier said. “Going into this race our main goal was to control our home course and have a good experience at ARP. Each one of these guys put themselves in a good position at the 2K and stayed patient over the early middle portions of the race.”
Lucas Bouquot led the Seminoles to their second team win in the 8k, crossing the finish line in sixth with a career-best of 24:43.0. Patrick Donnelly followed in seventh with a lifetime best of 24.44.9. Wynne Thomas was the third Nole to cross the line with a personal best time of 24:48.3. Tanner Simonds placed 13th at 24:55.5. Michael Toppi was the fifth FSU scorer in 15th with a career time of 25:04.1.
“As a team we set the goal of moving hard at the 7K which we knew would put us in the position to win the team title,” added Frazier. “Thankfully, the plan worked, and the guys were rewarded with the course PB and lifetime PB also. This group is in a great spot and I’m proud of them. Special Kudos to Tanner Simonds who in his first outing at the distance was able to break 25 minutes and finish right with our pack.”