The Daytona State Men's Cross Country squad traveled to Florida Horse Park in Ocala for a soggy 5000 meter race against three Region 8 rivals.  Led by sophomore Andy Martinez (Viera HS), the Falcons took six of the top ten spots in the race, with Martinez winning by 59 seconds over Florida State College – Jacksonville's John Bear, Jr.  The men took home to team title scoring 29 points, with Lake Sumter State College second with 44 points, FSCJ in third with 77 points, and Seminole State College scoring 83 points. 

The Falcons have a nice mix of sophomore veterans and young new freshmen for the 2020 season.  Sophomores Adam Mastrobuono (Hagerty HS) and Tyler Baker (Atlantic HS) finished 4^th and 7^th in the race, with freshmen Jerdary Ayala and Adolfo Castro (both of Tohopekaliga HS) close behind, placing 8^th and 9^th.  Sophomore Tyler Gilbert (Mainland HS) was 6^th for the Falcons and rounded out the top ten in the race.  Other Falcons were freshman Richard Lebron (Tohopekaliga HS) in 12^th place, DeLand HS graduate Dillon Wilson-Beck placing 13^th, Lake Nona grad Jesus Clemente in 18^th, and AJ Williams (DeLand HS) in 20^th place. 

"We had a solid first race, even though the times weren't really there today.  The course was really not that fast, but to place six in the top ten against our other Region 8 teams is a nice way to start.  We just need to stay healthy and continue to work smart.  Andy Martinez is in a good spot to start the season, and I am excited to watch him and the other sophomores continue to improve this year.  Our freshmen group is a talented bunch and we are just getting them used to living away from home, working through the academic course load, and getting in solid training."

Next up for the Falcons is Alligator Lake 5k on September 18^th.