Sept. 10, 2007
NEW ORLEANS, La. (www.ucfathletics.com) - Thanks in part to their third-place showing in their season opener, the UCF women's cross country team made the program's first appearance in the NCAA Division I South Region Poll, debuting at No. 15, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association announced on Monday.
"Being ranked is a positive indication that [UCF assistant coach] Mason [Cathey] is helping the team move in the right direction," said Caryl Smith Gilbert, who is in her first season as head coach of the Knights' cross country and women's track and field programs. "We are glad to break into the poll, but not satisfied with staying at No. 15. We are working toward becoming a top five program in the region."
Led by junior Jamie Rzepecki (East Aurora, N.Y./East Aurora HS) and her personal-best effort, the Knights had four runners finish among the top-30 at the Mountain Dew Invitational in Gainesville, Fla. on Sept. 7.
Rzepecki went 18:34.37 to earn 11th overall in the 5K. Also scoring for UCF in the meet were senior co-captain Karen Kozub and her classmate Elizabeth Miller and sophomores Jenny Clausen and Erica Weitz.
The Knights return to action on Sept. 15 at the Vanderbilt Commodore Classic in Nashville, Tenn.
For the latest news and information on the Knights, tickets or apparel log on to www.ucfathletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. Also check out UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pics.
USTFCCCA NCAA Division I South Region Poll
1. Florida State
2. Georgia
3. Tennessee
4. Florida
5. Vanderbilt
6. Georgia Tech
7. Auburn
8. Tennessee-Chattanooga
9. Belmont
10. Mississippi State
11. UAB
12. Alabama
13. Georgia State
14. Florida Atlantic
15. UCF