The men's and women's cross country teams began the season on the right foot as both placed first in the Mountain Dew Invitational on Friday night.
"It was a great way to start the season," UF coach Todd Morgan said. "We didn't let up on our training this week, and our team had great results."
The No. 14 women's team, which beat 22 other teams, had four runners place in the top five. Following the Gators in team results were Tampa and South Florida, which came in second and third, respectively.
Charlotte Browning won the women's 5K with a time of 17:25.08. The junior clocked the third-best time ever recorded on Mark Bostick Golf Course, where all UF home meets are held.
"I think this has shown how well we have progressed as a team," Browning said. "Our team is so good this year, and I am glad others (think so), too. "
Genevieve LaCaze, who won last year's meet as a freshman, came in second with a time of 17:41.03. Junior Kaitlin Shiver and senior Julie Northrup finished in fourth and fifth, respectively. Northrup recorded a personal-best time of 17:52.18.
The men's team, which finished first ahead of 17 other schools, had runners finish in every place from second through seventh. Embry-Riddle, whose Evans Kirwa won the men's 8K with a time of 24:21.1, took second and North Florida finished in third.
Junior Anthony Morales, who placed second, set a personal-best time of 24:24 and recorded the 10th-best time for a UF runner on the Mark Bostick Golf Course.
Daniel Manco finished fourth but was on crutches following his run. Morgan said he was unsure of the extent of the injury but feels the redshirt freshman will get better as the season continues.
Along with injuries, Morgan said some runners, including graduate student Stacey Johnson, were kept out of the invitational due to illness.
"We've had some sickness come through us pretty fierce," he said. "But I'm glad it is going around now and not later in the season."
The teams will not have another race until Oct. 2, when they compete in the Notre Dame Invitational in South Bend, Ind. Last season, the men tied for sixth at that meet while the women placed fifth.
