In only his second race back from hernia surgery, junior Jeremy Criscione posted the fastest time in school history for the 8k at 23:38.3, a mark that had lasted since 1983.
Criscione finished 12th overall at the Pre-NCAA Invitational in Terre Haute, Ind., on Saturday.
BIt was a fast day, and he ran really well,C UF coach Jeff Pigg said. BI thought his performance was really nice.C
Criscione and junior Jacy Kruzel, who finished 24th overall in the meet, led the UF men?s and women?s cross country teams to 14th- and 10th-place finishes, respectively.
Senior Enoch Nadler had one of the better races of his career, finishing 24th in the 8k race with less than one second off his career-best time at 23:47.0.
Sophomores Sean Blaney and Justin Taylor and senior Jose Garcia rounded out the scoring five for the men.
Kruzel was the highest women?s finisher for the second race in a row, completing her first 6k race of the year in 20:54.1.
BShe?s becoming real consistent,C Pigg said. BAnother top-quality performance. That?s what good people do usually in a race. It?s good. It may not be great every time, but it?s going to be good.C
Two other women runners showed consistency at the top, as well.
Freshman Rebecca Lowe and senior Lindsay Sundell finished in 58th and 69th places, respectively, finishing in the same order as in the previous race.
Junior Sara Petrick and freshman Ali Crabb completed the women?s scoring five.
Pigg said the preparation all year has had a cumulative effect, and he hopes it will all pay off when it counts most.
Pigg expects this race will help prepare the teams both physically and mentally for the postseason, which begins Oct. 27.
BI think both teams are in the right frame of mind as we head to the SEC Championships and beyond,C he said.
