Tallahassee, Fla. – The RV/RV Florida State cross country teams will race in the Joe Piane Invitational, hosted by the University of Notre Dame on Friday.
The women’s 5k will take place at 10:30 a.m., followed by the men’s 6-mile run at 11:15 a.m.
“The Piane Invite is a historical meet,” FSU head coach Bob Braman said. “The Notre Dame golf course has been hallowed ground for cross country runners for over 60 years. It was my favorite when I competed there 44 years ago and I know our vets feel the same way. We’ve targeted this meet for the last 20 years as a perfect mid-season measuring stick.”
Between the two races, 18 teams will step to the starting line either ranked or receiving votes, including four top 10 squads in the women’s race.
“We have the opportunity to knock off some ranked teams from all over the country, hoping to collect some at-large wins to help us qualify for nationals,” Braman added. “Last year, we racked up a ton of at-large wins, and this year’s field looks similar.”
Women’s Teams
No. 1 NC State
No. 3 New Mexico
No. 8 Notre Dame
No. 10 Alabama
No. 27 Oregon State
RV Florida State
RV Liberty
RV Penn State
RV San Francisco
RV Toledo
Boise State
Bradley
Butler
Charlotte
Navy
Purdue
SMU
Southern Utah
UC Santa Barbara
Vanderbilt
Men’s Teams
No. 14 Notre Dame
No. 22 Montana State
No. 24 Butler
No. 25 Alabama
No. 27 Michigan
RV Florida State
RV NC State
RV Tennessee
Boise State
Bradley
Cal Poly
Charlotte
Eastern Kentucky
Liberty
Navy
New Mexico
Penn State
Pittsburgh
Purdue
Southern Utah
UC Santa Barbara
The Seminoles were also due to race in the Asics Invite in Fairburn, Ga., on Oct.1, however, due to the threat of Hurricane Ian, the squad will not travel and focus on the FSU Invite, which is slated for Oct. 7 at the Apalachee Regional Park.
The Last Time Out
The Seminoles defeated No.29/RV Tennessee in a dual race in Boone, N.C., back on Sept. 16. The women won with a score of 20 points, while the men knocked off a ranked Vols team behind 22 points.
Fearghal Curtin won his second race in the Garnet and Gold, crossing the line at 29:09.40 in the 6-mile race and Alyson Churchill won the women’s 4-mile at 21:58.00.
Curtin’s effort was good for his second ACC Performer of the Week honor.
USTFCCCA Polls
Both squads received votes in the week three USTFCCCA national poll.
In the South Region, the men’s team jumped up one spot to No.2, while the women remained third.
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