Nov. 14, 2008
ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - The UCF cross country team is set to run in the NCAA South Region Championships Saturday morning in Maryville, Tenn. The Knights, currently ranked 15th in the region, will get the race underway at 10 a.m.
We are looking forward to competing against the very best our region has to offer," said head coach Caryl Smith Gilbert. "Coach [Tyangela] Sanders and Coach [Dennis] Kozub have done a fantastic job of preparing our young ladies to be ready for this meet. We are looking to set personal bests and run as a team, and I am looking forward to some great performances from our team.
On Nov. 1, UCF finished eighth in the Conference USA Championships. The Knights were led by senior Shantile Blackburn (Brooklyn, N.Y.), who finished in 23rd place with a time of 18:24. Junior Erica Weitz was the second UCF runner to finish, claiming 40th-place in 19:05. Ocean Cohen (Sarasota, Fla.), Allison Palmer (Oviedo, Fla.) and Katrina Skinner (Tampa, Fla.) rounded out the Knights' five finishers in 42nd, 46th and 47th.
UCF is currently 15th in the USTFCC South Region Poll. In five meets in 2008, the Knights have finished first on two occasions, second, third, fifth and eighth.
The team has had an impressive season thus far, finishing in the top five in five of its six meets. The Knights have two wins on the year, claiming the titles at both the Black & Gold Invitational and the FLRunners.com Invitational.
On the season, seven of the Knights have set new personal bests. Blackburn and Palmer won the FLRunners.com Invitational and the Black & Gold Invitational respectively. Blackburn has paced the team four times this season.
"This could possibly be Allison Palmer's last cross country meet as a Knight, and I am sure the team is ready to step up and compete at a high level to send her off on a high note," said Smith Gilbert. "Everyone should be in their top form for this meet. We plan to go out and give 100%....then let the chips fall where they may."
For the latest news on the Knights, log on to www.UCFAthletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. The site, which also contains ticket and Golden Knights Club donor information, is also the home of UCF's new online apparel store. Also visit www.UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.