The 29th-ranked Florida Southern College men’s cross country team returned to action for the first time in just over a month as the Moccasins took part in the UAH Chargers Invitational in Huntsville, Ala. Juniors Christian Giller and Chris Colavitaran two of the top-six 8K times in program history to help the Mocs defeat 30 teams including eighth-ranked and region rival Lee.
Giller finished 18th out of a field of 334 runners while crossing the line in 24:19.30, posting the third fastest time in program history and setting a new personal best. Giller now holds the third and fifth-best times in program history which he has set at the last two meets in Huntsville. Colavita came across just 10 spots back in 28th while stopping the clock at 24:33.50, good for sixth-best in program history. Colavita also became the third fastest individual in program history as Mason Jones and Giller hold the top five times.
Junior Caleb Brady was the next Moccasin finisher as he came in 46th to place three Mocs in the top-50. Brady clocked in at 24:56.50, just missing out on a top-10 all-time performance. Sophomore Cole Summers came across in 61st while stopping the clock at 25:02.30, 40 seconds faster than his previous race in Huntsville. The final member of the scoring five was redshirt senior Joshua Kraver who placed 69th, just eight spots behind Summers to secure a top-five finish for the Mocs. Kraver earned a time of 25:11.50.
Seventh-ranked Chico State took home the team title Saturday morning with 45 total points. Second place was held by 15th-ranked UAH who tallied 92 points. Rounding out the top three was 22nd-ranked Pittsburg State with 116 points. Concordia University Irvine and 29th-ranked Florida Southern both finished with 213 points with CUI taking fourth and the Mocs placing fifth. Fellow Sunshine State Conference programs in the race were Tampa (11th), Florida Tech (18th) and Nova Southeastern (26th).
Josphat Meli, of Harding, took home the individual title while Sam Wilhelm, of UAH, and Senzo Sokhela, of Westmont, rounded out the top-three.
Just missing out of the scoring five was graduate student Elijah De La Cerda who came in nine spots behind Kraver in 78th while crossing the line in 25:18.40. Senior Seth Augustynowski was the final member of the Mocs in the top-100 as he placed 93rd while completing the course in 25:29.50. The Florida Southern men’s cross country team will be back in action Friday, Oct. 18 as the Mocs host their second meet of the season, the Ed Holloway Collegiate XC Classic.
