ORLANDO (UCFKnights.com) – On Friday evening, the UCF cross country team ran its first 6K race of the season. That extra 1,000 meters did not deter the Knights; in fact, it fueled them to the team title at the UCF Softball Complex.
"We wanted to go for the win at home," UCF assistant coach Bryan Jackson said. "Any time you win a race, it's exciting and it boosts your confidence. It really fires you up for that second half of the season."
Jessica Dolan handled the extra distance with ease, cruising to a second place finish with a personal best time of 22:32.90.
In her first collegiate 6K, Jamie Tomassetti joined Dolan in the top three with a time of 22:46.70. Charlotte Crook finished fifth in 22:54.6 for her first official collegiate 6K. Kaitlyn Soltis used a strong kick to set a personal best 22:58.1 and finish seventh overall.
UCF's next four competitors finished in the top 35 in their collegiate 6K debuts, with Jewel Walters finishing 17th overall with a time of 24:22.5. Vanessa Bolen finished in 24:40.4 for 21st and Gabrielle LaRock finished 25th in 25:25.35. Sel Stuart rounded out UCF's squad with a time of 27:34.36 for 35th.
Friday's team result marked the first meet victory since 2017 when the Knights captured the FL Runners Invite title, and the first time the Knights have won their home meet since 2013.
"We know we're building something special here with this women's cross country team," Jackson said. "This was kind of our coming out party to start showing that. It's only going to get better from here and I'm excited for this group."
UCF returns to action on Oct. 11 at the Florida State Invitational in Tallahassee.
