Mocs cross country conquer several Division I teams

Posted on September 17, 2024

Junior Christian Giller leads the pack at Holloway Park. | *Photo courtesy of FSC Athletics*

Both Mocs cross country teams took on the Jacksonville State University Southern Showcase in Huntsville, Alabama last Friday, battling against NCAA Division I, II and NAIA programs.

The men’s team placed 11 out of 47, conquering North Alabama, Chattanooga, Samford, Louisiana Monroe, University of South Florida, Florida Gulf Coast and Memphis. Western Kentucky, Morehead State and Austin Peay– all Division I programs. They fell to Division II teams No. 11 Lee and No. 21 Anderson, who finished in seventh and eighth.

Junior Christian Giller was the top Moc finisher once again, finishing in 20th with a time of 24:29.10. According to FSC Athletics, Giller’s time is “the fourth fastest 8K time in program history, only trailing three times set by former Florida Southern Moccasin Mason Jones (2017-21).”

“Being able to place [in the] top 20 against some of the best D1 (Division 1) SEC schools in the country gave me a huge confidence booster,” Giller said. “I truly think this year I can be an All-American and get the school record set by Mason Jones…”

One more Moc finished in the top 100. Junior Chris Colavita ended in 54th, performing 24:59.25. Graduate student Elijah De La Cerda followed behind in 109th, sophomore Cole Summers in 115th and junior in 122nd.

Eli Zuppa was the lone freshman to place in the top 10 Mocs in his second collegiate debut.

“It was amazing [to finish in the top], but also expected because I’m part of a team who pushes each other to be our best each day,” Zuppa said.

The women’s team performed top times, as well, finishing 17th overall out of 49 teams. They surpassed 12 Division I teams, including The University of Alabama at Birmingham, South Alabama, Morehead State, Southern Mississippi, Western Kentucky, North Alabama, Alabama State, Kennesaw State, Louisiana Monore, Memphis, Troy and Austin Peay. The Lady Mocs also finished second out of the Division II programs, missing Lee, like the men’s team.

The top five times were led by senior Emma Mussante again, performing an 18:25.26 to place 109th. Before the race, Mussante told FSC Athletics in an interview that she was excited to race at the showcase since it is the same course the team will run at regionals.

“It’s a speedy golf course. It’s a little hilly, but everyone seems to PR pretty great there, so it should be exciting,” Mussante said.

Sophomore Emma Pfieffer, who followed Mussante in the No. 140 spot, set a personal best at 18:42.18. Junior Rachel Hockenberry did the same, dropping nearly a minute to record 18:58.21 in 173rd.

“I personally did not PR. But I ran around the same time I did at this course last year, but this time it was a month earlier,” Mussante said. “However, two of my teammates Emma Pfieffer and Rachel Hockenberry had huge PRs, and I’m so proud of them and how much our team is improving so early in the season.”

Giller and Mussante won the SSC Weekly Awards for their races. This is the second week Giller has won the award. The Mocs are back in action on Sept. 27 in Tallahassee at the FSU XC Invite.