Casterline and Jean Place Top Five at Nationals

Daytona State now has two more All Americans in men's cross country, bringing the count up to 12 for the program in just seven years.  This past Saturday at Pole Green Park in Richmond, Virginia, Evan Casterline and Joel Jean made history.  Casterline is now the highest finisher ever at the NJCAA Championships by a Falcon with his third place finish.  Jean finished close behind in fifth and earning All American for the second time in two years.  Jean becomes the third Falcon in program history to earn All American honors in both freshman and sophomore years. He joins Andy Martinez on the mens side and Shannon Jones on the women's side.  The Falcon pair established themselves in the front pack early in the race and they never backed down.  With 3000 meters left in the race, the lead pack had thinned to six runners, two representing Daytona State College.  "This was a great day for our program. I'm ecstatic for these two guys.  They invested time and money training on their own in Flagstaff, Arizona this past summer and came in ready to go.  They are both what we call 'grinders'.  People who consistenly get up and work hard every day.  They are very coachable and adaptable and it has been an honor to be a part of their journey," commented Head Coach Judy Wilson. 

The Falcon men finished sixth as a team, marking the fifth time the Falcons have placed in the top seven in the last five years, finishing as the top Florida junior college team at the national meet all five years.  Head Coach Judy Wilson was awarded Atlantic Region Coach of the Year for the fifth year in a row.  Casterline was voted Atlantic Region Runner of the Year and is the fifth Falcon to receive the honor in the past five years.  

Next up is the NJCAA National Half Marathon set for Tuesday, November 12th in Richmond, VA.