BOCA RATON, Fla. – The FGCU men's and women's cross country programs capped off their season-opening meet Friday night at South County Regional Park. The men's side took home second overall while the women's team placed fifth.

"The first meet is under our belts," said head coach Cassandra Goodson. "Just like any competition, there were a few things that we are happy with and a few things we learned about our team today. It's very early in the season so we're looking forward to getting back to the Nest and getting to work."  

Lucas Kiprotich (Eldoret, Kenya/Eastern Kentucky) led the men's group coming in ninth overall as Austin Redondo (Miami, Fla./Coral Reef Senior HS) was right on his heels coming in 11th. Boniface Mutai (Eldoret, Kenya/FAMU) followed him in 13th while Jan Figueroa (Casselberry, Fla./Lake Howell HS) placed 15th. The final runner to score and give the Eagles 52 points was newcomer, Benjamin Hermiston (Sherrill, Iowa/Dubuque Hempstead HS) who crossed right after Figueroa in 16th.  Eagles continued to cross the end line with Bradyn Ricca (Merritt Island, Fla./Merritt Island HS) posting a time seven seconds faster on this course from a year ago for 17th place as Bryce Bell (Orlando, Fla./Lyman HS) was just milliseconds behind placing 18th.

On the women's side, Emily O'Connor (Twinsburg, Ohio, Twinsburg HS) was the first runner to score for FGCU placing 14th overall. The 28-29 spots went to the Eagles as Jillian Felton (Inverness, Fla./Citrus HS) and Julia Filip (Owasso, Okla./Owasso HS) followed one another. Filip turned in a time nearly one minute faster on this course one season ago. With three Eagles now in the books, newcomer Gianna Citarella (Manahawkin, N.J./Southern Regional HS) placed 32nd as Madeline Wyers (Wakeman, Ohio/Western Reserve HS) scored coming in 38th to give FGCU 125 points.

Just like Citarella, Reilly Ritter (Tabernacle, N.J./Seneca HS) got a taste of her first collegiate race crossing the finish line 44th overall.

Up Next
The Eagles will return back to the course next Saturday, Sept. 7 to host the FGCU Invitational taking place at the Buckingham Property which is also the site of the 2019 ASUN Championship.

Men's Individual Results
9. Lucas Kiprotich –16:05.63
11. Austin Redondo – 16:07.88
13. Boniface Mutai – 16:15.96
15. Jan Figueroa – 16:27.20
16. Benjamin Hermiston – 16:27.96
17. Bradyn Ricca – 16:31.51 (seven seconds faster than 2018)
18. Bryce Bell – 16:31.95

Women's Individual Results
14. Emily O'Connor – 19:51.52
28. Jillian Felton – 20:28.34
29. Julia Filip – 20:29.39 (one minute faster than 2018)
32. Gianna Citarella – 20:56.95
38. Madeline Wyers – 21:36:39
44. Reilly Ritter – 22:16.99

Men's Teams
1. Stetson – 20
2. FGCU – 52
3. FAU – 81
4. Nova Southeastern – 119
5. FIU – 129
6. Ave Maria – 150

Women's Teams
1. FAU – 32
2. UCF – 76
3. Nova Southeastern – 110
4. FIU – 117
5. FGCU – 125
6. Miami – 139
7. Stetson – 145
8. Ave Maria – 178

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.