Florida State University Athletics
Friday, September 18
Florida State
vs
Pre-Regional
Cross Country Sweeps Season Opener
9/18/2026 10:46:00 AM | Cross Country, Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country
TALLAHASSEE – The Florida State cross country programs swept its season opener at home for the Pre-Regional meet hosted at Apalachee Regional Park on Friday morning.
The Florida State men opened the morning by placing first as a team in the 8k race with 26 points, led by junior Hudson Betts who collected his first top three victory as a Seminole, placing third with a time of 18:35.5.
Five Seminoles raced alongside Betts to take five of the top 10 spots. Kaden Levings concluded his final home opener at Apalachee placing second with a time of 24:31.7. Gino Palazzalo was the third FSU runner to cross the line, placing fifth with a new personal best of 24:42.7. Finn Thomas followed in fourth with a personal best of his own with a time of 24:44.9. Aidan Ryan rounded out the top five for Florida State, placing 10th with a time of 24:51.0.
In similar fashion, the women's team defended its home course by taking the crown behind 17 points, sweeping the top three spots. Rylee Blade captured her second career win with a time of 20:39.1. Bieke Schipperen followed suit in second with a time of 20:43.5. Junior Nicole Dinan took third at 20:50.2, before freshman standout Madie King placed fifth with a time of 21:22.6. Lindy White closed out the season opener with a sixth-place finish and career best of 21:27.3.
Florida State will hit the road for the first time this season, competing at the Gans Creek Classic on September 25th in Columbia, Missouri.
SEMINOLE RESULTS
Women's 6,000 Meters
1st Place – 17 Points
1. Rylee Blade- 20:39.1
2. Bieke Schipperen -20:43.5
3. Nicole Dinan - 20:50.2
4. Madie King - 21:22.6
5. Lindy White - 21:27.3 (PB)
6. Tessa Ebert - 21:38.4
7. Ella Menke - 21:39.5 (PB)
8. Bella Grenier-22:03.09
9. Avery Cahoon Evans-22:14.3 (PB)
10. Maggie Bartlow-22:23.9
11. Ella Pasko-23:05.0 (PB)
Men's 8,000 Meters
1st Place – 26 Points
1. Hudson Betts- 24:28.2
2. Kaden Levings- 24:31.7
3. Gino Palazzalo- 24:42.7 (PB)
4. Finn Thomas- 24:44.9 (PB)
5. Aidan Ryan - 24:51.0
6. Alan Gallardo-Lopez - 24:53.0
7. Graham Myers - 24:59.4
8. Josh Hicks - 25:04.1
9. Parker Adams- 25:30.6
10. Wyatt Falkowski - 25:42.2
Follow Florida State cross country on X and Instagram (FSU_Track).
The Florida State men opened the morning by placing first as a team in the 8k race with 26 points, led by junior Hudson Betts who collected his first top three victory as a Seminole, placing third with a time of 18:35.5.
Five Seminoles raced alongside Betts to take five of the top 10 spots. Kaden Levings concluded his final home opener at Apalachee placing second with a time of 24:31.7. Gino Palazzalo was the third FSU runner to cross the line, placing fifth with a new personal best of 24:42.7. Finn Thomas followed in fourth with a personal best of his own with a time of 24:44.9. Aidan Ryan rounded out the top five for Florida State, placing 10th with a time of 24:51.0.
In similar fashion, the women's team defended its home course by taking the crown behind 17 points, sweeping the top three spots. Rylee Blade captured her second career win with a time of 20:39.1. Bieke Schipperen followed suit in second with a time of 20:43.5. Junior Nicole Dinan took third at 20:50.2, before freshman standout Madie King placed fifth with a time of 21:22.6. Lindy White closed out the season opener with a sixth-place finish and career best of 21:27.3.
Florida State will hit the road for the first time this season, competing at the Gans Creek Classic on September 25th in Columbia, Missouri.
SEMINOLE RESULTS
Women's 6,000 Meters
1st Place – 17 Points
1. Rylee Blade- 20:39.1
2. Bieke Schipperen -20:43.5
3. Nicole Dinan - 20:50.2
4. Madie King - 21:22.6
5. Lindy White - 21:27.3 (PB)
6. Tessa Ebert - 21:38.4
7. Ella Menke - 21:39.5 (PB)
8. Bella Grenier-22:03.09
9. Avery Cahoon Evans-22:14.3 (PB)
10. Maggie Bartlow-22:23.9
11. Ella Pasko-23:05.0 (PB)
Men's 8,000 Meters
1st Place – 26 Points
1. Hudson Betts- 24:28.2
2. Kaden Levings- 24:31.7
3. Gino Palazzalo- 24:42.7 (PB)
4. Finn Thomas- 24:44.9 (PB)
5. Aidan Ryan - 24:51.0
6. Alan Gallardo-Lopez - 24:53.0
7. Graham Myers - 24:59.4
8. Josh Hicks - 25:04.1
9. Parker Adams- 25:30.6
10. Wyatt Falkowski - 25:42.2
Follow Florida State cross country on X and Instagram (FSU_Track).
Players Mentioned
Distance
/ Men's Cross Country
Distance
/ Men's Cross Country
Distance
/ Women's Cross Country
Distance
/ Women's Cross Country
Distance
/ Women's Cross Country
Distance
/ Men's Cross Country
Distance
/ Women's Cross Country
Distance
/ Men's Cross Country
Distance
/ Women's Cross Country
Distance
/ Men's Cross Country
Distance
/ Women's Cross Country
Distance
/ Men's Cross Country
Distance
/ Women's Cross Country
Distance
/ Men's Cross Country
Distance
/ Women's Cross Country
Distance
/ Men's Cross Country
Distance
/ Women's Cross CountryWednesday, September 16
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