ORLANDO – The UCF cross country team defended its home course for the third straight season as the Knights captured the team title at the UCF Invite on Friday evening.
"(The team) ran gutsy," UCF assistant coach Bryan Jackson said. "They got out and got after it. We talked about testing ourselves, really establishing a race right from the start and just going out and getting after it from the start - and they did that. It always feels good to win. Any time you win a race - it's not the easiest thing to do in cross country. That always feels fantastic."
UCF's top five competitors finished in the top 15 and eight Knights finished in the top 25 of the 2.9 mile race at the UCF Softball Complex.
UCF Invite ??????????????????!
— UCF Track & Field/XC (@UCF_Track) October 2, 2021
Check out the highlights from our team win this evening ?? #ChargeOn pic.twitter.com/aaK5lB1VZN
Valerie Lastra led the way for the Black and Gold, finishing fifth in 16:57.1. Freshman teammate Kambry Smith was just behind, taking sixth in 16:57.9.
Lillian Holtery finished 11th in 17:21.0, followed closely by Charlotte Crook, who took 12th in 17:25.6. Mariana Rodriguez led a trio of Knights across the line, posting a 17:33.4 for 14th. Alexandra Del Re finished 15th in 17:33.7 and Isabella Babilonia finished 16th in 17:36.5.
Rachel Wheatley finished 25th with a time of 17:48.6. Cydni Turner and Camryn Williams finished in 18:10.2 and 18:10.5, respectively.
Allison Gerrits posted an 18:46.8 mark in her home course debut while Paige Kelly ran 18:56.3. Alexa Baker crossed the line in 19:17.1 and Brenna Mullaney ran 19:20.1. Megan Rhodes posted a time of 20:03.7 and Mikaela Brown rounded out UCF's competitors with a time of 20:22.4.
UCF returns to action Oct. 15, heading to Tallahassee for the FSU Pre-Nationals meet.
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