GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Saint Leo men's cross country runner, Shane Bracken came away as the individual winner of the 2021 Mountain Dew Invitational, held on the Mark Bostic Golf Course Saturday in a time of 18:18.7, which set the program record for a 6K time. Saint Leo as a team took third with 106 total points. 
 
The Foxford, Ireland native found himself inside the top-15 at the 2k marker in a time of 6:14.9 before pushing ahead to second place at the 4k split with a time of 12:33.7. He would fend off Stetson's Tristen Montavlo down the stretch and take first out of the 130 runners in a time of 18:18.7. He becomes the second DII runner to claim victory at the race in the past 10-years joining former Lion, Ronald Cheserek. Bracken was just off the medalist title in 2019 when he ran the race but took second to North Florida's top runner. 
 
Alex Giraudineau had a strong showing in his first race in the Green and Gold putting together a strong race with a 16^th place finish in a time of 19:14.7. Lucas Liard joined in the top-25 of the race with a time of 19:32.8, good for 25^th place.
 
Three other runners joined the top-25 trio in the race in Aidan O'Leary (51^st, 20:21.2), Fabio Fornarelli (61^st, 20:42.2), and Brandon Castillo (84^th, 21:41.0).

The University of Florida won their home race with 25 total points, while the University of Tampa took second with 68 points. The Lions came in third with 106 while fending off Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with 107 points. Stetson rounded out the top-5 teams with 108 points. 
 
3^rd – Saint Leo – 106 points
1 – Shane Bracken – 18:18.7
16 – Alex Giraudineau - 19:14.7
25 – Lucas Liard – 19:32.8
51 – Aidan O'Leary – 20:21.2
61 – Fabio Fornarelli – 20:42.2
84 – Brandon Castillo – 21:41.0
 
The Lions return to the course on October 2 when the Green and Gold welcome teams to the Abbey Golf Course, across State Road 52 from University Campus, for the NCAA DII National Preview. Races are slated to begin around 8:00 a.m.
 
For the latest news, updates, and information on Saint Leo men's and women's cross country and track sure to visit SaintLeoLions.com. Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Lions news by following Saint Leo Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.