This past weekend, the FGCU men’s cross country team continued to dominate and took home its third win of the season, while the women finished fifth at the Upstate Invitational.
On the men’s side, it was the third time in four meets this season that both the team and an individual have finished first in a race.
Luka Ndungu continued to lead the team as he won his second meet of the season.
The Eagles totaled 35 points and finished two points short of three-time defending A-Sun Champion Lipscomb (37), marking the first time since the 2012 FGCU Invitational that FGCU has defeated the Bison.
For the women, the Eagles were led by Carley Lutzow, as she finished in eighth-place.
The team finished with 126 points, ahead of Wofford (138), Citadel (217), USC Upstate (227) and Gardner-Webb (239).
“They executed the game plan perfectly. It’s always nice to get a win, and we’re looking forward to getting home and getting back to work,” said head coach Cassandra Goodson.
The FGCU men’s team was again paced by Ndungu, who recorded the third-fastest 8k time in program with a time of 25:03.29.
FGCU had four men finish in the top-10 with an average pace that was more than seven seconds faster than Lipscomb.
Ronny Greenup finished in the top-10 for the fourth straight meet this season, placing fourth overall with an 8k time of 25:20.14.
Others that followed were Maximilian Weigand, who placed sixth with a time of 25:51.50 and Leonel Delacruz who placed tenth and posted a strong time of 26:11.31.
After this win, the FGCU men’s cross country team remains at No. 14 in the latest South Region Rankings released by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Monday afternoon.
On the women’s side, Lutzow’s personal best time of 18:20.72 paced the team. The Eagles average pace was nearly 45 seconds faster than their last weekend’s effort at the Mountain Dew Invitational and 30 seconds faster than the season best.
Anita Munoz was right behind Lutzow, turning in her personal best time of 18:37.16 and finishing 11th overall.
Others who followed were Stephanie Cajas, who finished 25th, and Regan Farrow, who finished 31st.
All in all, three of FGCU’s five point scorers turned in season best times this meet.
