Gamecocks Turn in Pair of Top Five Finishes in Tallahassee

Friday, October 11

Tallahassee, FL

(8K) 6:40 a.m.

Jax State

FSU Invitational

Results

10/11/2024 10:20:00 AM | Cross Country, Women's Cross Country

Results (Men)Results (Women)

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Both Jax State squads turned in top five finishes at the FSU Invitational on Friday, with the men placing third and the women placing fifth. Dennis Kipkurui led the Gamecock men, placing third in the event while Bethelhem Manzano Jimeno led Jax State on the other side of things with a 14th place finish.

Jax State trailed just host Florida State and had the same amount of points as LSU, falling in the tiebreaker 3-2 to give the Tigers the second place edge.

"We still have some areas of improvement that need to happen before the conference tournament, but it's great to see positive results as we continue to grow as a team," said Jax State head coach Jeremy Provence, " We want to give ourselves a chance to be competitive late in the race. Days like today show that we are starting to figure it out."

The men strung together a few impressive times to nail the fastest team average of the season at 25:00.9. Kipkurui took home third with a 24:37.5 8K finish and was trailed closely by Jack Lowe in ninth as freshmen Mark Roper and Meshack Kosgei strung together 11th and 12th respectively.

"The guys did a good job finding each other and working together, particularly early in the race. Controlled aggression, that has been our motto."

Rodrigo Fraga rounded out the Jax State top five in 28th place as Tanner Rice, Juan Camacho Tabuenca, Stephen Billman, Steele Joiner and Mason McMahon all placed in the top 50.

Beti Jimeno's 14th place finish on the women's side was aided by a 17:52.3 5K time. Emily Coddington also dazzled in the Sunshine State, placing 27th. Coddington has placed among the top two Jax State runners in each race she has participated in this season.

"Several have shown a significant amount of improvement this season, while others have stepped up and competed very well for the team in the absence of some individuals."

LSU took home the crown on the women's side with Florida State earning second place. Jacksonville State was separated from the top two by Florida Atlantic and South Florida.

Olivia King finished 37th with a 18:33.6 5K finish as freshmen Maxima Majer (48th) and Clara Rubio Machacon (63rd) rounded out the Jax State top five.

We have a lot of upside as we near the championship season," said Provence.

Following the FSU Invitational, Jax State wraps up the regular season at the Upstate Invitational on Oct. 19 in Spartanburg S.C. before returning home to host the Conference USA Cross Country Championships in Oxford, Ala.

The Gamecocks are seeking an NCAA South Regional appearance, which would take place in Tallahassee, previewed by the FSU Invitational.