Friday, September 02, 2011

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Hosting an event for just the second time in program history, the FGCU men’s cross country team opened the 2011 season with a first place finish at the FGCU Invitational on Friday evening at Buckingham Property. Sophomore Argeo Cruz (Immokalee, Fla./Immokalee HS) and redshirt sophomore Gilbert Chemaoi (Eldoret, Kenya/Eastern Kentucky) paced the Eagles, finishing in first and second place, respectively.

“It was great to start off the year with a victory at home, especially in front of such a large group of supporters this evening,” said fourth-year head coach Cassandra Harbin. “Coming off a tough week of training I wasn’t sure how the guys would open the season, but I am pleased with the result tonight and happy to come away with a win to begin the year.”

The Eagles took first place with a total of 30 points, while Miami finished in second with 38. FIU registered 55 points to take third and FAU recorded 102 to place fourth overall.

Cruz finished with a time of 20:25.10, just ahead of Chemaoi’s 20:39.80. Sophomore Sanders Payne (Weston, Fla./ West Broward HS) finished in 13th place with a time of 21:31.30 and junior Jonathan Lanning (Sarasota, Fla./Sarasota Military Academy) took 14th, crossing the finish line at the 21:40.00 mark.