Lakehawk Cross Country Makes Successful Return to FCSAA Championships
TALLAHASEE, Fla. (Cross Country) – The Lake-Sumter State College (LSSC) men's and women's cross country teams displayed standout performances at the 2025 Florida College System Activities Association (FCSAA) Cross Country Championships at Apalachee Regional Park. The men's team took third place followed by a fifth-place finish from the women.
The Lakehawk men delivered one of their most complete tactical team races of the season, finishing third overall out of seven teams with 80 points; just 20 points behind Pasco-Hernando.
Sophomore Spencer Palmer led the team with a fourth-place finish with a personal record (PR) time of 26:27.2, earning a spot on the All-FCSAA team. Elijah Palmer joined his brother on the All-FCSAA team in seventh place with a time of 26:44.7, a new season best.
The key to the team's success from the next wave of Lakehawks running as a pack throughout the course. Cohen Hartley (28:08.9, PR), Thatcher Clarke (28:19.2 PR), Bryce Blalock (28:24.3 R), Issa Issaku (29:06.4 PR), and Parker Mathis (29:21.8 PR) raced shoulder to shoulder into the scoring block securing the team's third place finish.
The Lakehawk women produced their strongest collective performance in program history, finishing fifth overall out of 13 teams with 123 points.
At the front, three Lakehawks broke through with several top-30 finishes. Oksanna Smith ran a strong race to place 14th in 20:58.6, breaking the 21-minute barrier.
Lily Lewis surged to 20th in 21:09.7 while Neelyanis Lugo Ramos placed 29th in 22:07.5. Maria Oliveira (22:21.7 PR) and Abigail Hersh (22:26.0 PR) packed tightly to keep all five scores under 22:30, displaying one of the most balanced team scores in program history.
Sade Lee with a PR of 22:43.9 and Amaya Mitchell with a PR of 25:29.5 rounded out the Lakehawk scorecard.
"What impressed me the most was how both teams came together as one. The men executed their strategy perfectly with Spencer and Elijah leading from the front and the pack of Cohen, Thatcher, Bryce, Issa, and Parker running a strategic race to deliver the points we needed," said head coach Cristy Snellgroves.
"One the women's side, I could not be prouder of each of these talented and dedicated women. Oksanna, Lilly, and Nelly ran strong races with big PRs up front, and the rest of the team backed them up with the breakthrough performances that show our depth."
"These were big performances across the board, and more than anything, they give us confidence. Both squads know they can compete with anyone and we are bringing that belief, teamwork, and speed into nationals," said Coach Snellgroves.
The team now has just under two weeks to train for the most anticipated race of the season: the 2025 NJCAA Men's and Women's Cross Country Championships.
This year's race will be held at Lakeside Golf Course in Fort Dodge, Iowa on Saturday, Nov. 8.
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