Tampa Takes Team Title at FSU Invitational

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The University of Tampa women's cross country team won the non-Division I portion of the Florida State Invitational on Friday as the Spartan men were seventh in their race.

The women had 40 points to come in ahead of their top South Region opponents Alabama-Huntsville (63) and Nova Southeastern (81).

Chantalle Blundell finished fifth in the women's 5K to lead all Tampa runners with a time of 18:20.71. Claudia Cancello (18:33.07) and Vanessa Righeimer (18:40.87) made it three Spartans in the top-10 as the duo placed ninth and 10th respectively. Danielle Kissel was 12th (18:45.26) while Elaina Cancello also finished within the top-20 with a 14th-place effort and time of 18:52.15.

Also competing for head coach Jarrett Slaven's women were Kelly Hagan (25th, 19:26.19), Ronni Mercier (27th, 19:27.59), Brianna Jackson (34th, 20:05.21), Aimee Epps (36th, 20:06.09) and Sarah Waller (68th, 21:27.84).

Tampa accumulated 177 points in the men's 8K, good for a seventh-place showing. Sunshine State Conference opponent Florida Southern took the non-Division I title with 70 points as Alabama-Huntsville followed with 79. Fellow SSC foe Saint Leo rounded out the top-three with 90.

Mike Zwijacz finished 17th overall as the first Spartan to cross the finish line, being clocked at 25:58.31. Geremy DeWitt (39th, 26:35.58), Lars Benner (41st, 26:37.07), Matt Hoffman (53rd, 26:47.91), Steven Dennig (55th, 26:58.64), Cory Munsch (74th, 27:20.72), Jessie Boria (80th, 27:37.90), Brendan McGonagle (86th, 27:49.77), Aaron Oldanie (89th, 27:52.81) and Kyle Taylor (98th, 28:22.21) also represented UT in the men's race.

The Spartans have now concluded the regular season and will return to action on Saturday, Oct. 26, at the 2013 Sunshine State Conference Championships at Saint Leo University.

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