FSCJ Cross Country set the pace at the 2025 Alligator Lake Invitational in Lake City, FL on October 10, 2025.
October 13, 2025

Chiang Blazes to Another Win; FSCJ Men Smash Program Records at Alligator Lake

The air was cool, the course was flat, and the results were electric. At the Florida Gateway XC Invitational, Florida State College at Jacksonville's Manta Rays turned Alligator Lake into a record book rewrite.

Chiang Dominates Again

FSCJ's standout runner Mei Chiang shattered her own school record by 35 seconds, crossing the line in 18:31—a mark that now ranks as the 4th fastest time in the nation for NJCAA Division II this season. Her performance was clinical, smooth, and commanding, as she distanced the field early and never looked back.

Chiang's run headlined a banner day for the Manta Ray women. Ellie Cardozo and Leilani Ortega Sandoval both posted personal bests, while Ava Banks, Lauren Hughes, and Krista Lovely clocked their fastest times of the season. The squad's cohesion and depth continue to grow as the championship stretch approaches.

"Mei is in fantastic race shape with our two biggest meets ahead," said head coach Jody Hale. "All the women raced well today."

Men Rewrite History

If the women impressed, the men made history. Benjamin Hale and Cole Fleming delivered a one-two punch that toppled every previous mark in the FSCJ record book. Hale surged through the 8K course in 26:54, obliterating the former school record set by John Bear in 2021. Fleming wasn't far behind, clocking 27:16, just two seconds faster than Bear's old mark.

Their performances weren't isolated heroics—Edward Julian, Spencer Middleton, David Beasley, Anthony Ress, and Alexander Grant all ran personal bests, propelling the men's team to a school-record average time of 28:16, the fastest in program history.

"Ben and Cole moving to the top of the list is a really big deal," said Hale. "Nine athletes set personal records today, and the men's average time is really exciting considering we held our #3 runner out while he recovers from a cold."

Next Stop: Championships

The timing couldn't be better. With the NJCAA Region 8 Championship and National Championships on the horizon—set for November 8 in Fort Dodge, Iowa—FSCJ appears to be peaking right when it matters most.

Show your support for FSCJ Cross Country

Manta Fever - join the club today!