Men's Team Wins UCF Invite

Friday, October 1

South Bend, Ind.

W: 5K @ 10:30 AM / M: 5-Mile @ 11:15 AM

Florida Gators

Notre Dame Joe Piane Invitational

Men's Team Wins UCF Invite

Friday, October 1, 2021 | Cross Country

Joe Piane Invitational Results UCF Invitational Results

By: Casey Montalvo

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Florida Gators men's and women's cross country teams competed in two meets on Friday, October 1 as they traveled to Notre Dame's Joe Piane Invitational in South Bend, Ind., and the UCF Invitational in Orlando.

For two meets in a row, Parker Valby was the top Florida finisher on the women's side as she put together a strong performance at the Joe Piane Invitational against some stout competition. Out of the 192 athletes in the race, Valby crossed the finish line in 36^th place, while Fernandez finished next for the Gators in 69^th place. Valby's mark of 16:54.3 also ranks 10th all-time in 5k school history. In total, seven Gators recorded personal bests in the 5k: Valby, Emily Culley, Maria Fernandez, Pamela O'Brien, Stephanie Ormsby, Jordan Shapiro and Liina Winborn.

At the same meet, the men ran a 5-Mile course for the first time this season and five of the eight Gators competing posted personal-best times. Freshman Matt Mule' was the top Florida finisher as he placed 84^th out of 180 runners with a PR of 24:52.5. Freshman Joe Wester and sophomore Angel Vicioso were right behind as Wester placed 90^th with a PR of 24:55.4 and Vicioso finished 92^nd with a time of 24:57.4.

The team competed in the UCF Invitational later in the evening, starting with the men in the 6k. Of the six runners at the meet, five placed in the top six and all six finished in the top 11. The Gators took the top four spots as they won the meet with a team score of 16 points.

Javi Vento led the group with a first-place outing and a personal-best time of 18:46.6, while Michael Fiore was right behind in second with a PR of 18:55.7. Cade Monk and Ryan Miller took third and fourth place, respectively, as Monk ran a personal-best time of 18:59.9 and Miller posted a PR of 19:01.4. Aiden Villasuso finished sixth with a PR of 19:13.0 and Orlando Cicilioni rounded out the Gators' finishes as he crossed the line in 11^th place with a time of 19:34.7.

On the women's side, the Gators placed three in the top 10 of the 5k as all five runners recorded personal bests in the race to finish second as a team with 60 points. Gianna Forte had a great race as she placed second with a PR of 16:47.9. Freshman Keleigh Scallon followed with a PR of 16:53.7 to finish in third. Cheyenne Young rounded out the top 10 with an eighth-place finish and a PR of 17:05.8. Jackie Addy placed 20^th with a personal-best time of 17:41.6, while Julia Lavrador finished in 28^th after running a PR of 17:56.4.

Up next, the Gators travel to Tallahassee, Fla., for the Pre-Nationals meet at Florida State on Friday, October 15.

Author's note: The women's course at the UCF Invitational was marked at 2.9 miles instead of 5,000m. Therefore, Gianna Forte's time does not rank in the top 10 of 5k school history, but Parker Valby's time now does.

JOE PIANE INVITATIONAL RESULTS
Men's
Team Finish
Florida – 22^nd of 23 (496 points)

Individual Finishes
Matt Mule' – 84^th, 24:52.5
Joe Wester – 90^th, 24:55.4
Angel Vicioso – 92^nd, 24:57.4
Cavan Wilson – 115^th, 25:13.0
Ethan Geiger – 117^th, 25:13.7
Reed Legg – 148^th, 25:47.0
Josh Stern – 153^rd, 25:51.0
Nick Deal – 167^th, 26:27.9

Women's
Team Finish
Florida – 21^st of 25 (471 points)

Individual Finishes
Parker Valby – 36^th, 16:54.3
Maria Fernandez – 69^th, 17:15.3
Pamela O'Brien – 98^th, 17:26.7
Liina Winborn – 130^th, 17:40.7
Emily Culley – 150^th, 17:54.2
Stephanie Ormsby – 155^th, 17:58.2
Jordan Shapiro – 159^th, 18:02.7
Vasileia Spyrou – 166^th, 18:08.6

UCF INVITATIONAL RESULTS
Men's
Team Finish
Florida – 1^st of 6 (16 points)

Individual Finishes
Javi Vento – 1^st, 18:46.6
Michael Fiore – 2^nd, 18:55.7
Cade Monk – 3^rd, 18:59.9
Ryan Miller – 4^th, 19:01.4
Aiden Villasuso – 6^th, 19:13.0
Orlando Cicilioni – 11^th, 19:34.7

Women's
Team Finish
Florida – 2^nd of 11 (60 points)

Individual Finishes
Gianna Forte – 2^nd, 16:47.9
Keleigh Scallon – 3^rd, 16:53.7
Cheyenne Young – 8^th, 17:05.8
Jackie Addy – 20^th, 17:41.6
Julia Lavrador – 28^th, 17:56.4

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