ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – Feeling fully rested, the UCF cross country team turns its sights to regionals. The Knights are set to compete in the NCAA South Region Cross Country Championships on Friday at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee.
The team will be embarking in its second 6K race of the season at 8:30 a.m. Following the conclusion of the men's race 10K, there will be a recognition of top runners and teams.
The NCAA South Region Championships serves as the qualifier for the NCAA Championships. The top two teams for each gender, and the top four individuals not on those teams, automatically qualify for the Nov. 19 NCAA Championships in Terre Haute, Ind.
Redshirt senior Anne-Marie Blaney is coming into NCAA regionals off of a first place finish at the American Athletic Conference Championship. The Ocala, Fla., native's winning time of 20:14 is the second-fastest 6K mark in program history, and she now holds the top four times in the event at UCF. After becoming the first runner in school history to qualify for nationals in 2014 with a time of 21:15.1, Blaney is back with a vengeance in her last regional race as a Knight.
England native Rosie Chamberlain is having one of her top seasons to date. Last year at the NCAA regionals, she placed in the top 100 with a time of 22:24.53. Chamberlain turned in her personal best mark at the conference championships this year (22:19.7) and is looking to break it once more.
The Knights are coming off of a strong showing at the American Athletic Conference championships, finishing in the top five. The juniors joining Chamberlain in action this week are Marissa Codispodi and Kalleigh Forrester.
Several Knights will make their regional debut on Friday. Freshmen Brittany Gill and Victoria Jung will compete in their second collegiate 6K race this season.
Friday's race will feature a Facebook Live stream. Additional information for the NCAA South Region Cross Country Championships can be found here.
