Spartans Complete Season-Opener As Early Bird Classic Host

DOVER, Fla. - The University of Tampa began its cross country season at the annual Early Bird Classic. The Spartan men placed fifth overall with 126 points while the women took second overall with 69 points at the Early Bird Classic.

Embry-Riddle took the men's championship as it had five runners in the top-20. The University of South Florida took the top-three individual finishes to earn the title.

Charles Toledo came in ninth place in the men's race with a time of 20:26. The junior was followed by seniors, Kevin Lane and Peter Orgass, who finished 26th and 27th with times of 21:07 and 21:08, respectively.

Michael Zwijacz (32), Bryan Garcia (34), Lewis Price (39), Eddie Paniccia (41), Tory Webb (46), Zachary Scott (50) Steven Dennig (51), Kyle Taylor (54), Mike Leone (65) and Jake Bailey (79) also participated for Tampa.

UT's women placed second following the University of Southern Florida (24). Kaia Hampton led the Spartans by placing seventh with a time of 18:49. Heather Nicolosi and Katie O'Brien followed Hampton by placing ninth and 14th with times of 19:11 and 19:31, respectively.

Lindsay Edwards (17), Kelly Hagan (23), Rose Bishop (25), and Hailey Smith (26) also participated for UT.

Tampa will return to action on Sep. 9, at the USF Open.

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