ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - The UCF cross country team returns to action on Friday, heading to Tallahassee for the Florida State Invitational. The women's 5K is slated for an 8:20 a.m. start.
"We have another tough one again this weekend, and the ladies are prepared to run well this week," assistant coach Johnny Gray said. "I look for them to set the tone for the rest of the season"
Redshirt senior Anne-Marie Blaney is the two-time defending champion at the FSU Invitational. The Ocala, Fla., native posted the top finish for the Knights in 2014 and won while running unattached last season.
Blaney, who was named the American Athletic Conference Runner of the Week following the Mountain Dew Invitational, became the first Knight to be nationally ranked by FloTrack on Sept. 26. She made her debut at No. 25 and remained in that slot in Monday's rankings.
In the last outing, Blaney won the Mountain Dew Invitational while leading the Black and Gold to a third place team finish in the event.
Six Knights posted season-best times at the 5K Mountain Dew Invitational. Redshirt junior Holly Wooley joined Blaney in the top 10, while junior Rosie Chamberlain and freshman Brittany Gill both finished in the top 25.
The FSU Invitational is one of the longest running collegiate cross country meets in the South, and the meet has been held at the Apalachee Regional Park course since 2009. The Knights will join 18 universities and colleges at the event, including USF, North Florida, Jacksonville and host Florida State.
