LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The men's and women's cross country programs had its final tune-up races before the ASUN Championship Saturday morning highlighted by Lucas Kiprotich and Austin Redondo leaving new marks in the FGCU record book.

Racing in a field compiled of nearly 400 runners, Kiprotich (Eldoret, Kenya/Eastern Kentucky) and Redondo (Miami, Fla./Coral Reef Senior HS) landed a spot inside the top 100 with record-breaking performances. Kiprotich broke a six-year 8k record held by assistant coach Argeo Cruz (24:51.92) with a time of 24:32.8 to finish 46th overall.

Meanwhile, Redondo set a new 8k sophomore record as he crossed the end line 90th, clocking in a time of 24:58.9. Bryce Bell (Orlando, Fla./Lyman HS), Boniface Mutai (Eldoret, Kenya/FAMU), and Bradyn Ricca (Merritt Island, Fla./Merritt Island HS) capped off the scoring for FGCU as the squad placed 25th (finished ahead of Mississippi State and were the third ASUN team to place).

Along with Bell and Ricca, Benjamin Hermiston (Sherrill, Iowa/Dubuque Hempstead HS), Jan Figueroa (Casselberry, Fla./Lake Howell HS), and Cole Pruim (Winter Garden, Fla./Legacy HS) all clocked in personal records with their sub 26-minute times.

"The conditions were ideal for running fast times and I'm so happy that they had a shot to do that," said head coach Cassandra Goodson. "For our top six to come out 25:37 or faster is incredible. More importantly, all of them had great attitudes after the race. They help each other out on the course and ran their hearts out to the end. Regardless of the outcome, this team has been so fun to coach, good results is just the cherry on top. We're looking forward to getting back to the Nest as we know we're not done yet."

On the women's side only seven spots and three seconds separated Emily O'Connor (Twinsburg, Ohio, Twinsburg HS) and Jillian Felton (Inverness, Fla./Citrus HS). O'Connor clocked in a time of 19:32.3 to finish 81st while Felton's 19:35.5 performance gave her 88th place. Gianna Citarella (Manahawkin, N.J./Southern Regional HS) was the third Eagle to score with a sub 20-minute time while Julia Filip (Owasso, Okla./Owasso HS) and Madeline Wyers (Wakeman, Ohio/Western Reserve HS) rounded out the scoring to give the squad 24th overall. Wyers and Reilly Ritter (Tabernacle, N.J./Seneca HS) each marked a season-best 5k time.

"It was a little warmer for the women's race but I really liked how they competed. They really helped each other on the course," said Goodson. "They are all excited to get back home and the way the training program is designed, they will definitely have their best race going into the ASUN meet."

Men's Individual Results
46. Lucas Kiprotich – 24:32.8
90. Austin Redondo – 24:58.9
112. Bryce Bell – 25.07.7
159. Boniface Mutai – 25:26.0
176. Bradyn Ricca – 25.34.2
179. Benjamin Hermiston – 25.36.9
195. Jan Figueroa – 25.44.5
235. Cole Pruim – 25.55.6

Women's Individual Results
81. Emily O'Connor – 19:32.3
88. Jillian Felton – 19:35.5
145. Gianna Citarella –   19:56.2
204. Julia Filip – 20:23.6
282. Madeline Wyers – 20:58.5
343. – Reilly Ritter – 21:34.0

Up Next
FGCU will be back in action on Saturday, Nov. 2 for the ASUN Championships taking place at the FGCU Buckingham Complex.

FOLLOW ALONG
For complete coverage of FGCU men's and women's cross country this season, follow us on Twitter @FGCU_XC and visit www.FGCUAthletics.com.

COACH GOODSON
FGCU is led by Cassandra Goodson, whose 10 seasons (entering 11th) at the helm have taken the Eagles from their humble beginnings to a competitive D-I program, highlighted by eight trips to the NCAA South Regional Championship. Every mark in the FGCU all-time record book has been etched during the Goodson era, as she has coached 19 ASUN All-Conference selections, the 2013 Female Conference Runner of the Year and three members of the NCAA South All-Region Team.

#FEEDFGCU
FGCU Athletics sponsors events in November and April to benefit the FGCU Campus Food Pantry (www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry) and the Harry Chapin Food Bank (www.harrychapinfoodbank.org), FGCU Athletics' charities of choice. For more information, including how to make a contribution, please visit www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry and utilize the hashtag #FeedFGCU to help raise awareness.

ABOUT FGCU
FGCU teams have combined to win an incredible 78 conference regular season and tournament titles in just 12 seasons at the Division-I level. Additionally, in just eight seasons of D-I postseason eligibility, the Eagles have had a combined 36 teams or individuals compete in NCAA championships. Seven FGCU programs have earned a top-25 national ranking in their respective sport – including both men's and women's soccer again in 2018. In 2016-17, the Green and Blue posted a department-best sixth-place finish in the DI-AAA Learfield Directors' Cup and top-100 showing nationally, ahead of several Power-5 and FBS institutions. In 2018-19, the Eagles had an ASUN and state of Florida best seven teams earn the NCAA's Public Recognition Award for their Academic Progress Rate in their sport. FGCU also collectively earned a record 3.35 GPA in the classroom in the spring 2018 semester and has outperformed the general University undergraduate population for twenty consecutive semesters.  The Eagles also served an all-time high 7,200 volunteer hours in 2017 – being recognized as one of two runners-up for the inaugural NACDA Community Service Award presented by the Fiesta Bowl.