The Tribune

MIAMI GARDENS, Florida — The University of The Bahamas cross-country runner Lhevinne Joseph finished ninth in a time of 18 minutes 4.5 seconds at the St Thomas University Cross Country Invitational over the weekend.

“The whole plan was to come in the top 10 in this competition,” Joseph said after the 5km race.

“I took it easy on the first lap of the course and made the first lap as comfortable as possible and then really push it in the second lap,” he said.

Joseph added he used his experience in the 5,000 metres event in the cross-country to put him in a good position in the final lap on the two-lap course.

“I used all of that experience here today,” Joseph said after his first race as a UB Mingoe.

“In the last lap even though I was a little tired I really pushed to catch whoever was in front of me.”

The UB team finished fourth with 93 points. Nova Southeastern won the event with 18 points.

Kenold Jean finished second for UB and 21st overall in 20:47.8. Ralph Wood was third and 22nd overall in 21:41.8. Donrick Rolle was the fourth fastest Mingoe and 23rd overall in 22:25.8. Cameron King had the fifth fastest time of the team in 28:31.2.

“This was our first cross-country event since the pandemic and we really didn’t know what to expect,” said cross-country head coach Ednal Rolle.

“We are a smaller school but we have a great team and I’m excited to see what we can do moving forward. When we get back we need to hit miles and get the team more in sync so we can have a better overall placing.”

In cross-country team competition, the top five runners are used for scoring. Points are assigned based on placing with first place getting one point, second place two points, and that convention used throughout. However, only the top five from each team will score points.

Similar to golf, lower scores are more desirable. Rolle added he wants the team to place better overall.

“You are only as strong as your weakest link,” Rolle said. “I have three solid guys and I need the rest of the team to step up to put us in contention for a top finish.”

UB’s cross country team is set to compete at The Embry Riddle Cross Country Classic in Daytona Beach, Florida, September 17.