Sept. 15, 2007
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (www.ucfathletics.com) - Senior co-captain Karen Kozub (Alden, N.Y./Alden HS) shattered her personal-best time in the 5K as the UCF men's and women's cross country teams both took fifth place at the Commodore Classic on Saturday morning.
Kozub led the Knights' women by finishing in seventh place overall with a time of 18:29.53, dropping 30 seconds off her previous personal best. Junior Jamie Rzepecki (East Aurora, N.Y./East Aurora HS) also placed in the top 20 going 18:56.58 followed by sophomore Jenny Clausen (Jackson, N.J./Jackson Memorial HS) in 22nd at 19:06.37.
Also contributing to UCF's fifth-place showing were senior Elizabeth Miller (Orlando, Fla./Timber Creek HS) and sophomore Erica Weitz (Morganville, N.J./Marlboro HS).
Overall, the UCF women improved upon their combined average time from last weekend's season opener by five seconds. The Knights, who are currently ranked No. 15 in the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches South Region poll, collected 127 points to finish fifth - ahead No. 9 Belmont. Missouri won the team title with 50 points.
"Our five-second improvement is a sign that we are progressing well," 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. "It was great to see a senior like Karen leading the pack for us and to see Jenny coming around after an injury earlier in the season."
The UCF men also took fifth place with 133 points as four of the five men entered finished among the top 30. Leading the Knights was senior Paul Nielsen (Oviedo HS) in 18th as he went 26:20.96 on the 8K course. Junior Daniel Conn (Ocala, Fla./Trinity Catholic HS) recorded a time of 26:26.66 for 20th and senior Paul Fitzpatrick (Ocala, Fla./Vanguard HS) was 23rd at 26:30.23.
Senior Matt Clements (Oviedo HS) shaved five seconds from his previous personal best, going 26:45.17 to finish 27th, while freshman Miles Harris (Newberry, Fla./Oak Hill HS) rounded out the scoring five.
"The men's line-up was all in great position. We just need to close the gap with the No. 5 runner," said Smith Gilbert. "Overall, I think this was a great showing for the program. We beat some great regional competition."
Belmont won the men's trophy with 21 points.
After a one-week hiatus from racing, the Knights travel to Pennsylvania for the Paul Short Invitational on Friday, Sept. 28.
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