(Results)
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. ( Sept. 15, 2023) – An hour-long lightning delay could not stop a speedy Florida National University cross country team from making a big splash in West Palm Beach, Fla. The Conquistadors made the short trip to the Keiser University Invitational at Okeeheelee Park on Sept. 15. The competition field included NCAA DII schools Barry University, Nova Southeastern University, Palm Beach Atlantic University and top NAIA contenders like Ave Maria University.
On the men’s side, Kristian Bodden continues to have a stellar opening leg of the 2023 season, breaking a school record in just his second appearance on the course as a Conquistador. His time of 16:27.8 in the 5K also landed in the top 25, crossing the finish line in 23rd place. Breakout star Mario Martinez had the second-best outing for the Conquistador men, ending his meet with a time of 17:48.5. The men’s team ended the evening seventh out of nine teams.
The Conquistador women raced their way to an eighth-place finish out of 11 teams. For the second meet in a row, former CAC Runner of the Week Christina Adams was the top finisher for FNU with 21:21.1 in the 5k. Following closely behind Adams was Daryl Quichimbo, coming in 66th with a time of 21:43.9. Notably, Karol Padilla, Hassell Zeledon, and Heather Castro ended their nights 85th, 86th and 87th, respectively.
Men’s Times:
Kristian Bodden- 23rd (16:27.8)
Mario Martinez- 59th (17:48.5)
Gabriel Rodriguez- 60th (17:49.5)
Leon Kipkoech- 66th (18:08.7)
Michael Kipchumba- 70th (18:19.2)
Alessandro Herrera- 76th (18:28.3)
Austin Phanitdasack- 94th (19:38.0)
Roger Guardiola- 97th (20:24.9)
Cristopher Carmenate- 103rd (22:10.4)
Women’s Times:
Christina Adams- 56th (21:21.1)
Daryl Quichimbo- 66th (21:43.9)
Karol Padilla- 85th (22:47.2)
Hassell Zeledon- 86th (22:58.0)
Heather Castro- 87th (23:01.3)
Prisilla Gonzalez- 107th (25:32.6)
Carla Collado- 110th (26:02.5)
Up Next: FNU is set to appear in next week’s St. Thomas Meet in Miami Gardens, Fla., starting at 7:30 a.m. Sept. 23.
