Head Coach:

Paul Spangler (3rd Year)

 

Last Year:

2nd SEC

2nd South Region

 

Probable Top Five:

SR Jimmy Clark (8:10 3k; 13:58 5k; 29:08 10k; 2nd South Region XC '13)

SR Eddie Garcia (14:22 5k; 29:35 10k; 9th South Region XC '13)

SO Mac Reynolds (14:36 5k; 30:58 10k)

SR JL Hines* (8:11 3k; 29:26 10k)

SO Carlos Miranda (14:49 5k)

 

*May or may not return

 

Impact Freshman/Recruits:

Mac Macoy - Vestavia, AL (4:14.64 Mile; 9:07.3 3200m; 2-Time AL State XC Champ)

Thomas Howell - Niceville, FL (9:11.07 3200m)

 

Analysis: 

Mark Parrish will be a hard guy for this team to replace. His first place finish at the South Region last year and his 7:59, 13:43 track times stamped him as a legitimate player on the national scene.

 

But do not fear Gator fans, they are reloading and look to be almost as strong as last year.

 

Coach Paul Spangler landed a good freshman in Alabamian Mac Macoy and he will keep his upperclassmen hustling to maintain their dignity. He obviously cannot replace Parrish right away, but his very strong cross country abilities will certainly enable Spangler to have some fun with this team and see them through to the nationals again.

 

MaCoy was the two time Alabama state cross country champion and the state 1600 and 3200 champ from last year as well, sporting a 4:14 (full mile) and 9:07 for 3200 meters. The Vestavia High best of all time, seems to get better the further he goes.

 

Not that Jimmy Clark (second in last year’s South Region) and Eddie Garcia (9th at last year’s South Region meet) are going to need much motivation. Last year’s trip to the NCAA should whet their appetite enough.

 

JL Hines has a 29:26 10k on the track, and would project as their second scorer, but there is some uncertainty about his return to Gainesville next season as we go press with this. 

 

While none of the Gators have great track credentials, they are steady contributors on grass and Spangler has a knack for getting them ready when it matters.  Little known  Niceville, FL frosh, Thomas Howell a 9:11 3200 recruit, might surprise some people, both in the Florida program and without, as he is a talented but untested youngster.

 

Interestingly, only Macoy is a non Floridian on this team, another testimony to Spangler’s coaching talents.

 

Florida was 29th in last year’s NCAA meet. Not much below that level in 2014 as we project them 31st in 2014.

#31 Women's Team - Mississippi State