News Summary
The University of Georgia men’s cross country team secured victory at the FSU Invite with a dominant performance, finishing first with 21 points. Each runner placed in the top eight, led by junior Ryan Olree’s winning time of 24:06.2. The women’s team also performed well, finishing third in the 6K event, with freshman Anastasia Nilsson leading the way. Both teams showcased their talent and are poised for future competitions, including the upcoming Pre-National Invitational in Missouri.
Tallahassee, Florida – The University of Georgia men’s cross country team achieved a notable victory at the FSU Invite on September 26, 2025, marking their second first-place finish of the season with a total score of 21 points. The team’s impressive performance allowed them to outpace the runner-up, North Florida, by a significant margin of 70 points in the 8K race. Each of the six members of the men’s team finished within the top eight, showcasing their dominance in the competition.
Junior Ryan Olree led the efforts for the men’s squad, finishing with a winning time of 24:06.2. He was closely followed by grad transfers Will Aitken and Oliver Smart, who secured third and fourth places with times of 24:12.7 and 24:20.9, respectively. Rounding out the scoring for Georgia were freshman Kristers Kudlis, who finished sixth with a time of 24:40.5, and junior Conner Rutherford, who placed seventh at 24:45.3. This balanced performance underscores the team’s depth and collective strength, positioning them favorably for future competitions.
Meanwhile, the women’s cross country team finished strong in third place during the 6K event, accumulating a total of 87 points. They finished just 37 points behind the second-place team, No. 29 Florida State. Freshman Anastasia Nilsson emerged as the front-runner for the women’s team, crossing the finish line in seventh place with a time of 20:46.5. Notably, sophomore Izzy Yonas followed closely, claiming eighth place with a personal best of 20:49.6.
Additional scoring for the women’s team included Madeleine Holland in 19th place with a time of 21:59.2 in her collegiate debut, followed by Addison Scott in 26th place at 22:06.6, and Lauren Skeens in 27th at 22:07.8. With a significant contingent of first-year runners, the women’s team exhibited remarkable talent and potential, which bodes well for the season ahead. Two freshmen also made their collegiate debuts: Madeleine Holland and Maeve Waddell, who finished 87th with a time of 23:12.7.
The FSU Invite featured a total of 36 programs, highlighting the competitive nature of cross country in the region. The University of Georgia’s performance at this event not only demonstrated their talent but also set a positive tone for future meets. The Bulldogs are scheduled to compete next at the Pre-National Invitational in Missouri on October 18, 2025, where they hope to build on their recent successes.
This result reflects the ongoing development of the Georgia cross country teams, highlighting both the experience of the upperclassmen and the potential of the newcomers. With strong performances across the board, both teams are gearing up for a promising remainder of the season.
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Additional Resources
- Georgia Bulldogs: Men’s Cross Country Wins FSU Invite
- The Red & Black: Georgia Women’s Cross Country Finishes Third at FSU Invite
- BCU Athletics: Another Race, Another School Record for Kiplagat
- Wikipedia: Cross-Country Running
- Seminoles.com: Cross Country Blade Places Third in Seminole Debut
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