Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Athletics

Kira Ball

Men’s Cross Country Places First at Mountain Dew Invitational

| By: Brianne Wigley | @briannewigley

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - The NAIA 22nd ranked Embry-Riddle men's cross country team competed in its second meet of the 2013 season Saturday in Gainesville, Fla. at the Mountain Dew Invitational. The Eagles beat out tough competition to finish in first place in the Non-Division I group.
 
The University of Florida hosted the meet, and had 11 NCAA I schools competing and 15 Non-Division I schools. For the second week in a row the Eagles locked in the first place win for the Non-Division I group. On the NCAA I side the home team Florida got the win followed by SEC opponents Auburn and Tennessee.
 
"In all the years I've been coming to UF, I have never seen a more competitive field than this," Embry-Riddle Assistant Cross Country Coach Peter Hopfe said.
 
The Blue and Gold were led by Sun Conference Runner of the Week junior Vincent Bett, who placed 14th overall out of 227 runners. With a time of 24:59.21, Bett now owns the sixth fastest time in Eagle history. Also scoring points for the Eagles was freshman Paul McKenna (25:29.71), junior Alec Hernandez (26:05.27), senior Zachary Kraus (26:12.08) and junior Jacob Dordick (26:55.77).

If the team scores had not been split into Division I and Non-Division I, the Eagles total time of 2:09.42 would have been good for sixth place overall, above six NCAA I schools. 
 
"Today's race showed me that the men can run with any NAIA team," Hopfe stated. "Our scorers are a dominant force at any level."
 
The Eagles scored 60 points total in the 8K race for the first place finish, followed by Florida Southern with 61 points, Nova Southeastern with 117 points, Tampa with 139 and Florida Tech with 156 points to round out the top 5 Non-Division I teams.
 
Also competing in Gainesville for the Eagles was Ryan Larson (27:12.13), Jamin Mays (27:22.48), Matt Graves (27:48.24), Andrew Carosi (28:02.94), Palmer Lintz (28:45.64), Cory Sayyeau (28:57.87), Jose Diaz Jr. (29:21.77) and Dalton L'Heureux (29:23.89).
 
Up next for Embry-Riddle cross country will be the annual Asics Embry-Riddle Classic on Saturday, Sept. 21 in Daytona Beach, Fla. for their only home meet of the season.

Results
Mountain Dew Invitational
Eagle Team Finish Points Total Teams
1st (highest ever) 60 15
Individual Eagles Finish Time
Vincent Bett* 14th 24:59.21
Paul McKenna* 28th 25:29.71
Alec Hernandez* 46th 26:05.27
Zachary Kraus* 51st 26:12.08
Jacob Dordick* 83rd 26:55.77
Ryan Larson 90th 27:12.13
Jamin Mays 102nd 27:22.48
Matt Graves 120th 27:48.24
Andrew Carosi 127th 28:02.94
Palmer Lintz 146th 28:45.64
Cory Sayyeau 153rd 28:57.87
Jose Diaz Jr. 162nd 29:21.77
Dalton L'Heureux 164th 29:23.89
*Scorers

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