KENT, Ohio – Senior Tony Dipre, who was a key ingredient in the Gators' third-place finish at the 2009 NCAA Cross Country Championships, kicked off his final season of track eligibility with a strong performance at the Golden Flash Gala at the Kent State Indoor Fieldhouse. Dipre finished fourth overall in the 5000-meter run, and was the top collegiate performer in a field of 39 competitors.

Dipre crossed the line in 14:58.11, although he was maintaining a 14:30 pace until the final 1200 meters. Dipre fell off the pace of the lead pack down the stretch but manufactured enough strength to outlast a trio of runners from Division II Lock Haven University. Stephen Hrinda of Brooks Running broke the tape in 14:22.90.

“This will be a big year for Tony,” said head coach Brent Wilkerson. “Although his pace dropped at the end of the race, this was the fastest he has run a 5k this early. It was a great opening race.”