GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The FGCU cross country programs concluded their third regular season meet of the season as the men's side place seventh while the women's squad came in 16th, Saturday morning at the Mark Bostic Golf Course.

"On the men's side we were missing some key people in the race," said head coach Cassandra Goodson. "With that being said, we had a few people step up and help the team. The women did a good job of finding each other on the course. There's still more there as far as team scores go but overall I am confident we will re-group and learn from these races."

Lucas Kiprotich (Eldoret, Kenya/Eastern Kentucky) led the way for the Eagles coming in fourth overall (25:37.8, season best) in a field of over 300 runners. On top of placing in the top 10 of each meet this year, his fourth overall finish becomes the highest in program history at the Mountain Dew Invitational – Johnathan Lanning placed sixth in 2010. Boniface Mutai (Eldoret, Kenya/FAMU) crossed the line in 27th while Jan Figueroa (Casselberry, Fla./Lake Howell HS) rounded out the top 50 coming in 41st. Bradyn Ricca (Merritt Island, Fla./Merritt Island HS) and Cole Pruim (Winter Garden, Fla./Legacy HS) were the final runners to score for the men, coming in 67th and 105th, respectively.  

Gianna Citarella (Manahawkin, N.J./Southern Regional HS) paced the women's team with season-best 5k mark (19:51.5) coming in 67th overall. Jillian Felton (Inverness, Fla./Citrus HS) etched another season-best time finishing 73rd (19:59.2) as Emily O'Connor (Twinsburg, Ohio, Twinsburg HS) placed 79th to round off the top 100. Julia Filip (Owasso, Okla./Owasso HS) and Madeline Wyers (Wakeman, Ohio/Western Reserve HS) were the final Eagles to score as they crossed the end line 117th and 153rd, respectively.

Up Next
The Eagles are back in action on Saturday, Oct. 5 when they head to Louisville, Ky., for the Live in Lou Classic.

Men's Individual Results
4. Lucas Kiprotich – 25:37.8
27. Boniface Mutai – 26:39.0
41. Jan Figueroa – 27:20.4
67. Bradyn Ricca – 27:53.8
105. Cole Pruim – 28:40.5

Women's Individual Results
67. Gianna Citarella – 19:51.5
73. Jillian Felton – 19:59.2
79. Emily O'Connor – 20:01.8
117. Julia Filip – 20:58.0
153. Madeline Wyers – 21:59.4
154. Reilly Ritter – 22:03.1

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.