TALLAHASSEE - The UCF cross country team lined up for its first 6K race of the season at the FSU Pre-Nationals meet in Apalachee Regional Park on Friday morning.
The Knights raced against many of the top teams in the country, finishing 33rd in the Garnet field.
"As a team, today was not the day we expected to have," UCF assistant coach Bryan Jackson said. "I was really proud of how this team handled their approach coming into the race. But we fell short of racing to the level we believe this team is capable of. The good news is we have the championship portion of the season in front of us and every opportunity to accomplish what we set out to do."
For the third meet in a row, UCF's top two finishers were Valerie Lastra and Kambry Smith. Lastra crossed the line in 22:10.3 while Smith posted a 22:49.3 performance in her first collegiate 6K race.
Mariana Rodriguez ran 23:00.9 in her first 6K with the Black and Gold, followed closely by teammate Isabella Babilonia, who ran 23:01.4 in her collegiate 6K debut. Lillian Holtery and Rachel Wheatley ran 23:18.7 and 23:31.1, respectively, in their first 6K races as Knights.
Charlotte Crook posted a 23:45.0 showing and Mackenzie Czurak rounded out the UCF Garnet competitors with a time of 24:09.9.
A pair of Knights made their collegiate 6K debuts the women's open race. Cydni Turner finished in 24:27.9 and Camryn Williams posted a 25:45.8 performance.
Next up, the Knights made the short trip to Lakeland, Florida for then 2022 American Athletic Conference Championship. The women's 6K race is slated for a 9:50 a.m. start in Holloway Park.
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