The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) men's cross-country team is set to open its 2024 season on Saturday, September 21, at the Embry-Riddle Cross Country Classic in Daytona Beach, Florida.
UVI will compete in a three-meet regular season before aiming for a conference championship in October. Following the season opener, the Buccaneers will have a two-week break before traveling on three consecutive weekends for competitions on the U.S. Mainland at Ave Maria University in Ave Maria, Florida, Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida, and at the Historically Black College and University Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) Championships in Decatur, Alabama.
Head coach Dale Joseph is returning for his second consecutive year at the helm of the program after leading the team for much of the 2000s. His previous stint with the Buccaneers was from 2007-2020 when UVI experienced success while competing under Joseph’s leadership.
In the preseason rankings released by the HBCUAC, the Buccaneers are projected to finish eighth overall after placing 10th in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC; now HBCUAC) last season.
The men's team will consist of a five-man squad this year, with senior Nijai Nisbett returning as the sole veteran for the Buccaneers, while sophomore sprinter Rayhan Sabur will transition to distance running after competing in track and field last year. The team will rely heavily on incoming freshmen Donnel Dominique, Gabriel Elcock, and Mark Hayes-Ayala to set the pace for the team throughout the season.
Coach Joseph expressed his excitement for the upcoming season: "We have four young men who have been eager to compete from day one. I am thrilled to see how they perform in their first collegiate meets and to support their growth in this field as their athletic careers progress."
About UVI Athletics
The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and a member of the HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC), formerly the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC). Entering the 2024-25 season, the Buccaneers will begin their 18th season of athletic competition. As the only Historically Black College or University (HBCU) in the Caribbean, UVI currently sponsors six sports, including men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s basketball, and men’s and women’s outdoor track and field. For more information on UVI Athletics, visit UVIAthletics.com.
