Oct. 16, 2015
TAMPA, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - The UCF cross country program had three runners finish top 30 in their first 6-kilometer race of the season at the USF Invitational on Friday afternoon. The Knights finished sixth out of 10 Division I programs in the race.
Related: Complete Results
Sophomore Holly Wooley paced the Knights in their first 6-kilometer race of the 2015 season with a time of 22:20.2 to claim ninth overall. Wooley, who was the American Athletic Conference Athlete of the Week two weeks ago, has led the Black & Gold in each of their four races this year.
Joining Wooley in the top 30 were senior Amy Ankli and sophomore Rosie Chamberlain finishing 24th and 26th. Ankli crossed the line at 23:13.0, and Chamberlain finished on Ankli's heels just five seconds behind her. Friday was the first 6k race of Chamberlain's collegiate career.
Rounding out the Knights' scoring were sophomore Ashton McMurray and senior Cody Castillo. McMurray, who also ran her first collegiate 6k, grabbed 40th place, and Castillo finished 54th, respectively.
Florida Gulf Coast won the team title with an overall score of 52 points, edging runner-up USF by 26 points. Florida A&M, Jacksonville and Florida Atlantic rounded out the top five. UCF snatched sixth with a point total of 143.
Unattached runner Anne-Marie Blaney coasted to the individual title with a time of 21:13.8, which was over 30 seconds faster than the next finisher.
The Knights now take a week off and focus in on the American Athletic Conference Championships. The league meet is Friday, Oct. 16, in Grimesland, N.C. at Overton's Lake Kristi, and it will also be a 6k race.
Story by Cory Hall