Falcons Seek to Repeat at Region 8 Championships
The Daytona State men's cross country team heads to the FCSAA Region 8 Friday to defend their title from the 2020 season.
October 28, 2021
The Daytona State men's cross country team heads to the FCSAA Region 8 Championships Friday to defend their title from the 2020 season. The Falcons swept the meet in 2020, winning both individual and team titles, with Andy Martinez finishing the 8000 meter race in 26 minutes. This will be the last race for Martinez on the FSU course in a Falcon jersey. "I can't wait to get the opportunity to run the FSU course one last time in a Daytona State uniform. It's a bitter sweet feeling," Martinez said.
The Falcons are heading into the meet with a #3 national ranking in NJCAA Division 2 league, which establishes them as the title contenders. Martinez leads a team mixed with talented freshmen and experienced sophomores. Freshmen Sebastian Hernandez and Christian Ruocco have adapted well to the increase in distance from the traditional high school 5k and have proven that they will be contenders for All Region honors. "We have a good group right now and we hope to have a strong representation in the All Region category (top 7)." Coach Judy Wilson said. Among the other eight Falcon runners competing Friday, freshman Mitchell Curtis, the trio of former Tohopekaliga High School runners Adolfo Castro, Richard Lebron, and Jerdary Ayala are looked to finish out the Falcon top seven, along with Tyler Baker, Jesus Clemente. "Based on the team's progress this season, we are expecting any of these guys to be in the top 10 of the Region." Wilson said.