September 6, 2025
Ace Estevez Leads Spartans at Season Opener
LAKELAND, Fla. - The University of Tampa men's cross country team was third at the Swan City Classic to open the 2025 campaign.
In the men's 6K race, Embry-Riddle secured the team title with 41 points, led by individual champion Taye Newman in 18:19.6 as a freshman. Florida Southern finished runner-up with 46 points, showing strong front-end talent with two athletes in the top 10.
The Spartans, placing third with 105 points, showcased a balanced mix of veteran leadership and new faces, holding off Florida Tech (106 points) and Palm Beach Atlantic (107 points) in a tight battle for the podium.
Tampa Men's Results
- Ace Estevez — 19th — 19:33.5
- Zach Kehler — 20th — 19:33.5
- William Poe — 21st — 19:33.6
- Declan Fiorucci — 22nd — 19:33.7
- Elijiah Rivera— 23rd — 19:33.7
- Brandon Witherow — 24th — 19:33.8
- Anthony Verdi— 25th — 19:34.5
- Luke Kain — … — 19:34.6
- Will Cerrutti — … — 19:38.3
- Sam Buytaert— … — 19:45.3
- Clark Behler— … — 19:52.4
- Matt Damouni— … — 19:54.1
- Hayden Reich— … — 19:59.1
- Isaac Perez— … — 20:03.1
- Sam Kehler— … — 20:05.6
- Xavier England— … — 20:08.8
- Aidan Carroll— … — 20:15.3
- Trevor Fuller— … — 20:17.9
- Landen Wise— … — 20:46.2
- Nolan Bonta— … — 21:17.6
Team Scores
- Embry-Riddle — 41
- Florida Southern — 46
- Tampa — 105
- Florida Tech — 106
- Palm Beach Atlantic—107
- Southeastern — 159
- Pasco-Hernando State — 212
- Lake-Sumter State — 249
- Saint Leo—261
- New College of Florida—306
- Warner—329
