Sept. 16, 2011

Results

By Bob Thomas, Seminoles.com

SENECA, S.C. - Under controlled conditions the Florida State cross country teams knocked off some rust in Friday's first full varsity event of the season and came away from the Clemson Invitation encouraged about the future.

Neither coach Bob Braman's FSU men or Karen Harvey's women laced up the spikes, but instead followed a pre-ordained plan to run conservatively early and finish strong. Not only did the Seminole teams accomplish their goals, the men came away with a lopsided victory, while the women finished second to the host Tigers.

"We ran under control for first three miles - we ran as a pack - and then took off," said Braman. "We ran really hard from 3-5 (miles). ... We did exactly what we wanted to accomplish."

Senior Michael Fout picked up where he left off after earning All-American honors in 2010, placing third over the 8-kilometer in 24:13.7 with a strong finishing surge. On his heels was junior co-captain Wes Rickman, the second of five Seminoles in the top eight, who finished fourth (24:16.5).

They were chased to the finish by Seminole senior Seth Proctor (sixth, 24:24.9), sophomore Jakub Zivec (seventh, 24:28.0) and freshman AJ de Valle (eight, 24:32.1), who was making his Florida State debut.