TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – For the fourth time this season, Florida State cross country runner Adriaan Wildschutt was named the ACC Men’s XC Performer of the Week. The Ceres, South Africa, native placed second in the men’s 8K at the FSU Invite/Pre-National meet, breaking the 23-minute barrier, crossing the line in 22:49.4. “Adriaan had an incredible race,” FSU head coach Bob Braman said. “He ran a rare sub 23:00, crushed his school record, and took the defending national champion to the final 50 meters. He made the ACC proud with this race and its great that they’re honoring him.” His four Performer of the Week honors set the school record for a single season, besting the three by Andrew Lemoncello in 2004. Wildschutt is also tied with Lemoncello for the most weekly accolades in his career at six. The FSU XC Invite/Pre-National meet would prove to be the fastest race in Apalachee Regional Park history. With the course in fast conditions, Wildschutt was one of the eight runners that posted an all-time APR top 10 time for the men’s collegiate 8k. Wildschutt battled with some of the top runners in the country, including the champion from BYU Connor Mantz. He stayed in the front pack early and was the leader following the halfway point of the race. Wildschutt and Mantz began to pull away from the rest of the pack in the back half of the race, but Mantz pulled away from the Wildschutt on the last straightaway to shatter the course record with a time of 22:47.0 and take gold. The Ceres, South Africa, native, finished second with a personal best time of 22:49.5 which is the third-best time in Apalachee Regional Park history. FSU Moves Up in Week 5 USTFCCCA Poll Both FSU cross country teams moved up in the USTFCCCA Poll for week five following the FSU Invite/Pre-National meet. The women’s team jumped five spots to No. 10 and the men move up one spot to No. 19. In the regional rankings, the women moved up to No. 2 in the South behind Alabama, and the men stayed at No. 1. The women are back in the top t0 for the first time since week 7 of the 2019 season. “It’s great for our women to get the credit they deserve,” Braman said. “They’ve certainly earned a top 10 ranking and I think they’re posed for something special in the championship season.” Both squads are the second-highest ranked ACC team heading into the ACC Championships on Oct. 29. The men are second to No. 8 Notre Dame and the women are behind No. 2 NC State. “I feel like our men deserved a higher ranking,” Braman added. “But at least we keep moving up in each poll. There’ still over four week until NCAAs, so lost of time to make a run at the top 10.” For more information on Florida State cross country, follow Twitter @FSU_Track and Instagram @FSU_Track. -30-