BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Bethune-Cookman Men's and Women's Cross Country teams officially kicked off the Garon Jackson era of Cross Country/Track & Field on Friday, as the Wildcats participated in the season-opening Florida Atlantic XC Invitational housed at Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park. The BCU Women finished 16th, and the men turned in a 16th place showing of their own.
 
Bethune-Cookman junior Indya Campbell of Mankato, Minnesota paced all female runners for the Wildcats with a time of 23:49.90 across the 5K course. As a team, the Cats earned 504 points in the field of 18.
 
Following Campbell for the Cats was Valencia Butler (24:02.41) and Nyidjah Ives (24:08.27), each finishing just two runners apart from their respective times. Caliyah Gee (33:42.16) was just ahead of teammate Jordan Singletary (34:14.82). And it was Lauren Johnson (37:15.81) rounding out the scorers for the Maroon and Gold.
 
The University of Miami's Emma Maurel (18:12.45) took the individual top performer honors in leading the Hurricanes to the team win on the women's side with a total of 38 points. The Hurricanes were followed in order by UCF (53 pts) and Nova Southeastern (118 pts), respectfully.
 
In the men's 5K event, Bethune-Cookman turned to Isaiah Davis (20:08.77) with the Wildcats' fastest performance, followed by Da'Quon King (21:12.53). Ja'Quon King crossed in a time of 21:45.62, while teammate Damaris Robinson crossed in a finishing time of 23:43.95 on the evening. Christian Taylor (26:23.07) and Jonathan Gaines (28:21.93) went back-to-back to close out the runners for the Cats.
 
Daytona State won the team event with 70 points, as Miami (71) and Florida Gulf Coast rounded out the top three teams for the men.
 
Miami completed the men's and women's individual top times sweep on the strength of Austen Cannon (15:29.67) crossing the finish line first for the Hurricanes.
 
The Wildcats get back to the cross country course Friday, Sept. 15, when traveling to participate in the Mountain Dew Invitational hoisted by the Florida Gators in Gainesville, Florida. The event is scheduled to begin at 7:45 a.m.
 
when traveling to Gainesville, where the Cats will take part in the Mountain Dew Invitational hosted by the University Florida on Friday, Sept. 15, at 7:45 a.m.
 
Follow Bethune-Cookman Cross Country on Twitter (@BCUTrackXC) and Instagram (@BCUXCTF) for all of the latest news and updates. For all Bethune-Cookman Athletics news, follow us on Twitter (@BCUAthletics), Instagram (@BCU_Athletics) and BCUathletics.com.