DeBary, Fla. -- The Stetson women's cross country team finished third and the men placed fourth in the season-opening Hatter Invitational Saturday morning at River City Nature Park in DeBary.
"I think overall we did great," Stetson head coach Joe Matuszczak said. "It's the beginning of the year and we have a lot to work on, but you can always get better. Overall, I think we accomplished what we set out to do. We set up a nice preview course. We had other teams in conference come on out. We know where we stand and we keep building from where we are."
Sophomore Clarissa Consol placed fourth among all individuals in the women's 5K race with a time of 19:47. Junior Adrienne DeVita also earned a top 10 finish, placing 10th overall with a time of 20:22.
"I was really proud of the race," Consol said. "I was able to hang in with the front pack for a long time. At the end, they got a little too far ahead for me to catch, but I felt good."
Also for Stetson, Jessica Cosgrove placed 19th with a time of 21:06, Amanda Spring placed 21st with a time of 21:14, Daniella Moreno placed 24th with a time of 21:55, Emily Nolen placed 28th with a time of 23:29, Trixi Menge placed 29th with a time of 23:43, Susan Scaggs placed 32nd with a time of 24:44, Brilee Hundley placed 33rd with a time of 25:11, and Christine Iseley placed 34th with a time of 25:25.
Sophomore Joe Beery paced the Hatter men in the 8K race with a time of 27:54, good for 16th place overall.
"It was a good season opener," Beery said. "It was a tough course but we knew it would be tough for us going in. It was good to see where everyone is at."
Also for Stetson, Drew Denson placed 22nd with a time of 28:37, Andrew Townes placed 28th with a time of 30:08, Kyle Meerdo placed 33rd with a time of 33:04, Ryan Hodgins placed 34th with a time of 34:00, Ryan Newfrock placed 36th with a time of 34:51, Austyn Finnk placed 37th with a time of 35:51, and James Welch placed 38th with a time of 37:24.
Florida Gulf Coast won the women's race while UNF won the men's race.
The Hatters will return to action next Saturday at the UNF Invitational.
Women's Division I Results:
1. FGCU - 17
2. UNF - 65
3. Stetson - 72
4. Bethune-Cookman - 102
Men's Division I Results:
1. UNF - 36
2. Lipscomb - 43
3. FGCU - 44
4. Stetson - 122
5. Bethune-Cookman - 126
