Runners Cross the Finish
The Daytona State Men's and Women's Cross Country programs celebrate the graduation of three male runners and five female runners. All except one have competed for two years, the first two years of the program. Collectively, the group has contributed to the 2018 men's Region 8 win, women's Region 8 runner up team in 2018 and 2019, a top 15 team academically for NJCAA men's cross country, and an impressive second highest gpa in the country on the women's side!
"We will certainly miss this group of quality individuals. They have helped us set the foundation for the program and we are eternally grateful to them for choosing Daytona State, representing the college in the best way possible, and succeeding in the classroom and on the cross country course." Judy Wilson, Head Cross Country Coach.
Jesse Barral leaves the Falcons as the third fastest male runner over 8,000 meters. His 27:44 at the Disney Cross Country Classic last October put him right behind school record holder Andy Martinez and Tyler Simmons (2019 graduate). Barral is undecided on his next move, but has offers to continue his academic and athletic careers, something he would not have contemplated when he first arrived on campus. Barral improved his 8k time by over a minute from his freshman year to his sophomore and that is just the tip of the iceberg!
David Phillips, a Lake Nona High School graduate, became the first male runner to commit to the Falcons in program history. A student of the sport with an interest in coaching, Phillips would make the 2018 national team for the Falcons, and then followed up with a half marathon personal record in January. He is pursuing becoming a pilot and would like to continue coaching at the high school and possibly college level someday.
Andrew Guillory will finish up his academic career this summer at Daytona State. He will then head to Thomas University where he has committed to run. Guillory has been instrumental is setting the tone for the men's team on what it takes to work toward your goals and dreams. A former high school basketball player, he came to running late in high school and had little experience in the sport. Guillory is an example of finding something you love to do and running with it!
Kylie Dedeo ran in the top five for the team during the 2018 season. She had taken a year off from running after high school and attended University of North Florida where she did not compete. A talented athlete, Dedeo caught on quick and helped the team place 2nd at both the 2018 and 2019 Region 8 Championships. A talented photographer, Kylie plans to gain work experience in photography before pursuing a bachelor's degree.
Jenny Enslin finished her Associates degree in Addictions Counseling in December and her Falcon running career came to an end with a trip to the NJCAA Half Marathon Championships in El Paso, TX. As is generally the case with Enslin, she approached the challenge of collegiate cross country racing with a positive attitude and maintained a top six spot for both the 2018 and 2019 seasons. Running with and against runners half her age, Enslin showed tremendous resiliency and strength to handle the rigors of collegiate competition.
Kristine Gray joined the Falcons late in the summer of 2018, and also late in life compared to other college students. Kris passed up the opportunity to run in college straight out of high school, so competing for the Falcons gave her a 'second chance' to be a college student-athlete. A former fire fighter, she stepped right into the lead for the Falcons during the 2018 season, placing in the top five at the Region 8 meet and currently holds the school record for the 5,000 meter collegiate distance. A top three runner in the 2019 season, she would go on to help the team place 2nd at the Embry Riddle Invite, 2nd at the Seminole State Invite, and 2nd in the Region 8 meet. Graduating with high honors academically, Kris receives her Associates degree in Accounting Technology.
Hannah Offenback started her DSC career in the spring of 2019, after transferring in from the University of Alabama. After a high school soccer injury sidelined her running, she spent the spring and summer getting ready for the cross country season. Her hard work and determination paid off as she finished the top Falcon runner at the Region 8 meet to garner First Team All Region. Her plans for the fall are to attend the University of South Florida, where she will major in biochemistry and continue her running careers as a Bull.
Moriya Patsch, a Seebreeze high school graduate, along with Janie Davidson (Spruce Creek 2017 grad and 2019 DSC grad) were among the first in program history to sign with the Falcons. Patsch would go on to run a personal record in the 2018 season and make a trip to the NJCAA national meet where the team would finish in the top 25 in the country. An injury plagued her 2019 season as she spent the majority of the season confined to limited training. Still, she was able to make a return trip to the NJCAA national meet with the team and finish a top five runner for the team. Patsch will be going to nursing school in the fall.