Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Athletics

zach kraus naia 2011

Men's Cross Country Finishes Third at Mountain Dew Invitational

| By: Ryan Mosher



GAINESVILLE, Fla. - The 2012 edition of the Embry-Riddle men's cross country team competed in its' second race of the season on Saturday morning, finishing third at the Mountain Dew Invitational, hosted by the University of Florida. The Eagles finished only behind the host Gators and North Florida on the day, beating six NCAA I teams and six NCAA II squads.

Evans Kirwa barely missed out on winning his second race of the 2012 season, placing second behind unattached Jeremy Criscione (a participant in the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials in the marathon). Kirwa's 24:14.53 was less than six seconds off Criscione's winning mark, and was the third fastest time in Embry-Riddle program history. Kirwa's time also marked the fastest the native Kenyan had recorded at the Mountain Dew Invitational.

Sophomore Vincent Bett made his Embry-Riddle debut an impressive one for Coach Mike Rosolino and the Eagles, finishing in 25:30.77, good for 12th overall and good enough to make him the sixth-fastest runner in Blue and Gold history.

Joining Bett on the list of fastest runners was sophomore Alec Hernandez, finishing third for the Eagles in 25:52.94, putting him 19th in the race and 12th on the fastest runners list.

Zachary Kraus (39th - 26:28.59) and Ryan Larson (63rd - 27:06.14) were the final two scorers for the Eagles, both finishing more than a minute faster than last week.

"We had much better times than last week obviosuly," Rosolino noted. "Some of that is running on a reasonable course that wasn't waterlogged, and part of it was us just running better."

Several other Eagles posted career-bests on the day, including Jamin Mays (75th - 27:18.40), Jason Riggs (92nd - 27:49.23), Palmer Lintz (140th - 29:51.56) and Trey Williams (171st - 34:58.28) while Makynzee Balucas made his collegiate debut for the Eagles.

"It was nice to get Vincent and some of the new guys in there today," said Rosolino. "It was mostly an NCAA I field and we beat six of them, that's a big accomplishment."

The Eagles will now turn their attention to the 2012 Asics Embry-Riddle Classic next Saturday, Sept. 22, the lone home meet for the Blue and Gold.

"We are very excited about next week's meet," Rosolino said. "We're going to have a lot of out of state competition coming in. It'll be nice to see some different teams down here. We're looking forward to defending our home turf and extending our winning streak."

The Eagles have won five consecutive Asics Embry-Riddle Classics dating back to 2007.

Results
Mountain Dew Invitational
Eagle Team Finish Points Total Teams
3rd 115 17
Individual Eagles Finish Time
Evans Kirwa* 2nd 24:14.53
Vincent Bett* 12th 25:30.77
Alec Hernandez* 19th 25:52.94
Zachary Kraus* 39th 26:28.59
Ryan Larson* 63rd 27:06.14
Jamin Mays 75th 27:18.40
Jacob Dordick 88th 27:36.30
Jason Riggs 92nd 27:49.23
Makynzee Balucas 97th 28:03.71
Palmer Lintz 140th 29:51.56
Dalton L'Heureux 144th 30:08.58
Paul Meesala 147th 30:19.15
Trey Williams 171st 34:58.28
*Scorers


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