Recap
GAINESVILLE, Florida - The Embry-Riddle men opened its 2021 season on Saturday at the Mountain Dew Invitational, hosted by the University of Florida. ERAU placed fourth overall with 107 points, just one back of third-place finisher Saint Leo in the 6k race.

The Eagles were in contention for a top-two finish until an injury forced ERAU's top runner to drop out. As it was, the Blue and Gold still managed to edge Stetson, Daytona State, and Lynn, who went fifth, sixth, and seventh, respectively. The host Gators won the event with 25 points, followed by Tampa (68) and then Saint Leo (106).

Ryan Szklany narrowly missed out on his 12th career top-10 finish, placing 11th overall (19:05.3) to pace the Eagles. Brendon Shea (19;09.4) was 15th and Tanner Rosolino (19:35.6) was 26th, followed by Shaun Bullock (20:19.9) in 50th and Austin Epstein (20:29.0) in 55th to round out the Eagle scorers.

Connor O'Flynn (57th - 20:33.5) ran in his first collegiate race, while Justin Nauman (69th - 21:04.7), Jack Brooks (76th - 21:17.1), Josh Collins (80th - 21:29.1), Garrett Noltemeyer (81st - 21:31.5) and Josh Beam (86th - 21:41.8) all finished in the top 90 runners. Jacob D'Aleo (96th - 22:00.2), Mike Klein (100th - 22:13.0), Charles Hruda (107th - 22:46.7) and Justin Brown (111th - 23:03.4) also competed for the Eagles. Beam and Klein both joined O'Flynn in making their Embry-Riddle debuts on Saturday.

ERAU will return to Daytona Beach and host the Embry-Riddle Cross Country Classic in two weeks on Sept. 25.

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The 2021 Embry-Riddle Men's Cross Country season is presented by Radiology Associates.