Mantz does it again, takes sixth straight meet title at Pre-Nationals

TALLAHASSE, Fla. – No. 5 BYU men’s cross country runner Conner Mantz clocked a course record 22:47.0 in the men’s 8K to seize first place and help the team finish fourth at the FSU XC Invite/Pre-Nationals at Apalachee Regional Park on Friday.

Mantz began the race with a brief stay in eighth place but charged past runners from No. 1 Northern Arizona, No. 2 Notre Dame and host Florida State over the last 3,000m. The reigning individual national champion recorded a 2:43.7 split and finished 2.5 seconds ahead of runner-up Adriaan Wildschutt of Florida State.

"This was an outstanding race for Conner," said BYU men's cross country head coach Ed Eyestone. "It was a real challenge for Conner to face Wildschutt on his home course today, but Conner showed how strong he can be with that extra speed at the end." 

Following Friday’s victory, Mantz has now recorded six consecutive first-place finishes and 10 for his career. In 19 collegiate cross country meets, the senior from Smithfield, Utah has never finished outside the top-10.

Teammate Casey Clinger joined Mantz in the top-10 at eighth with a time of 23:06.0, just a fraction of a second off a new 8K personal record. After lingering between 12th and 15th through the first 3,000m, Clinger pulled into the top-10 and never relinquished his spot down the stretch.

The sophomore from American Fork, Utah has now posted nine top-10 finishes in 12 career meets.

Brandon Garnica was the third BYU runner to cross the finish at 19th with a time of 23:34.0. Lucas Bons, Aidan Troutner, Adam Wood, Creed Thompson and Zac Jacklin rounded-out the Cougars’ results on Friday.

"Runners one through four have been very consistent for us this season, but we really need to develop our fifth man as we prepare for nationals," said Eyestone. "Today's result keeps us humble and hungry." 

BYU’s 131 points were good for a fourth-place finish, ahead of six ranked teams, including a 72-point advantage over No. 2 Notre Dame. The Cougars joined No. 8 Arkansas and No. 7 Colorado in a logjam between second and fourth place. No. 1 Northern Arizona took the team title with a score of 63.

In-state foes No. 25 Weber State and UVU came in 16th and 19th, respectively, while West Coast Conference-foe Santa Clara finished 22nd.

No. 5 BYU will look to extend its reign atop the WCC as the team returns to action at the league’s cross country championships on Friday, Oct. 29 at Newhall Community Park in Concord, California.

Following the WCC Championships, BYU will host the NCAA Mountain Regional at Timpanogos Golf Club in Provo, Utah on Friday, Nov. 12. The Cougars will compete then with the goal of returning to Apalachee Regional Park as it plays host to the NCAA National Championships on Saturday, Nov. 20. 

*Photo Credit: Ben Sheehan

BYU Individual Results 

Pre-Nationals Top-10 Results | Team

Pre-Nationals Top-10 Results | Individual