UF XC: Gators Cross Country Begins 2023 Season Friday in Gainesville

The men’s and women’s programs will host the Mountain Dew Invitational at Mark Bostick Golf Course in season opening competition.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – After the season opener was put on a two week hold, the Gators get the privilege of beginning their 2023 campaign on their home course. The University of Florida welcomes sixteen colleges to Gainesville for the Mountain Dew Invitational on Friday, September 15.

After taking a year hiatus in 2022, the Gators will look to defend their 2021 first place finishes. Both the men’s and women’s program earned the top spot at the meet earning 25 and 24 points respectively.

This year’s rendition of the event will serve as the first of three regular season meets that the Gators will participate in before beginning post-season competition.

The event will begin with the men racing in the 8k starting at 7:40 a.m. ET. Shortly after, the women participate in a 3M race at 8:20 a.m. ET.

The Mountain Dew Invitational is one of two Cross Country meets held at Mark Bostick Golf Course this season, as the Gators are also set to host the NCAA South Regional on November 10.

PARTICIPATING GATORS
The Gators will send nine men and twelve women to the starting line on Friday morning.

The set of ten athletes on the men’s side all feature Gators that have raced both at the collegiate level and with the University of Florida over the past two years.

On the women’s side, Sayla Donnelley, Allison Drummond, Kate Drummond, Annie Loehle, Breanna Stuart, and Haley Thornton will all make their collegiate Cross Country debut. Meanwhile, Allison Wilson will make her Florida Gators debut after transferring from the University of Alabama.

The complete list of athletes dawning the Orange and Blue are listed below.

Men

Women

Orlando Cicilioni III

Sayla Donnelley

Michael Fiore II

Allison Drummond

Ethan Geiger

Kate Drummond

Ryan Miller

Olivia Jones

Josh Stern