JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Stetson Cross Country opened its 2025 season Friday evening at the Florida Intercollegiate Invitational, hosted by ASUN rival North Florida at the Cecil Field New World Golf Course.
The Hatters' women were first to the line in the 5K, racing against a 16-team field. Stetson finished sixth overall with 181 points, paced by freshman Hannah Judge, who clocked a time of 18:31.7 to place 21st and lead the team in scoring. Freshman Lucille Marquart followed at 19:05.0 to take 31st, while Kendall Wampler (43rd, 19:43.6) and Deanna Bottino (47th, 20:00.6) secured strong finishes in the middle of the pack. Madison Kerr-Wong (49th, 20:05.4) and Avery Sommers (50th, 20:11.9) closed out the scoring with back-to-back efforts that pushed the Hatters into the top half of the standings.
On the men's side, Stetson turned in a fifth-place finish out of 13 teams with 113 points in the 8K race. Senior Eduardo Diaz set the tone up front, crossing in 20th with a time of 25:27.6 for 16 points. He was closely trailed by Blake Young (26th, 25:36.0) and Michael Petrovic (29th, 25:46.5), giving the Hatters three finishers inside the top 30. Robbie Champa (36th, 26:03.1) and Seth Singer (41st, 26:16.8) rounded out the scoring five, while Keenan Willard and Zeke Galbraith provided key depth just outside the top 40.
In total, 107 women and 119 men competed in the opening-night races.
Stetson will return to action on Friday, Sept. 12, at the Southern Showcase hosted by Jacksonville State at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Ala.
About Stetson Athletics
At Stetson University, student-athletes don't just compete—they thrive. Located in historic DeLand, Florida, between Orlando and Daytona Beach, Stetson offers the perfect blend of competitive athletics, academic excellence, and an unbeatable Central Florida lifestyle. As the oldest private university in the region, Stetson supports approximately 500 student-athletes across 19 NCAA Division I sports. Nicknamed the "Hatters" after the institution's namesake John B. Stetson, a hat manufacturer who originated the modern-day cowboy hat, most Stetson athletic teams compete in the Atlantic Sun Conference, where they proudly hold the longest active membership since 1985. With top-tier facilities, personalized support, and a welcoming campus community, Stetson is where students can grow, compete, and succeed. Learn more at GoHatters.com or follow social media accounts @StetsonHatters.
