The Daytona State Falcon Cross Country teams will take to the beach this Friday to open the 2022 season. The event is a relay style race where each school pairs up their runners, with each runner running one half mile down the beach to the turnaround point. The runners complete one mile before entering the exchange zone so their partner can proceed.  

 

Each men's pair will run six miles total at 5pm, and the women will run four miles total at 5:45pm. Daytona State men are lead by returning All Americans Sebastian Hernandez and Christian Ruocco. The 2022 men's squad is the deepest in program history. "We were very fortunate to attract some really talented runners. Jayven Garcia (Tohopekaliga HS) and Jared Falchook (Celebration HS) have gotten off to a good start and have blended well with our sophomore class."  

 

The women are lead by returning #1 runner, and two time Region 8 champion, Harleigh Bilz Crist. Crist will be partnered with newcomer Shannon Jones. Jones returned to running in 2019, after a 15 year break from the sport. "If Shannon stays healthy, she could find herself in the front pack at the NJCAA nationals in November."  

 

Competing schools will be Daytona State, Florida State College Jacksonville, Lake Sumter State College, and Seminole State College.  

 

The location for Friday's races is Frank Rendon Park, 2705 S. Atlantic Ave, Daytona Beach.