Men's and Women's Cross Country Season Preview
The University of the Virgin Islands men's and women's cross country team will open up the 2023 season on Saturday at the Embry-Riddle Cross Country Classic.
Dale Joseph, who previously led the cross country and track and field programs at UVI from 2007-2020, is back to lead both programs. He developed both teams in the past to the highest level of competitiveness.
As the Buccaneers revamp the cross country program Joseph credits both the men's and women's basketball student-athletes during the rebuild.
"The men's and women's basketball players have really stepped up to help us out and I appreciate them so much for being there and helping us move the program along," said Joseph.
Joel Contreras, Cecil Hector, Jalil Langston, Shirmoy O'Garro, Naythan Shaw-Clarke and Nasir Watson will make up the men's team while Kashay Bass, Mia Davis and Ariana Renault fill out the women's roster in 2023.
"We got a late start, but all the runners have worked very hard in the preseason and I am looking for each of them to improve their time each time they come out and cut a minute or two off of their time as the season progresses," said Joseph.
The Buccaneers will compete in four meets this season as they will also travel to the Sun Conference Preview at Ave Maria on Oct. 7th and the South Florida State Invitational on Oct 13th. UVI will close out the season at the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) Championship in Decatur, Alabama on Oct. 20th.
"We want to be conditioned properly and be competitive this year more than the team has been in the past," said Joseph.
Coach Joseph is looking forward to the future of the program as he begins his first season back leading the Bucs. "I want to make an assessment this season and get out there and recruit some atypical cross country athletes so we can build a cross country program."
