Cross Country Builds Momentum With Strong Performances at Pirate InvitationalCross Country Builds Momentum With Strong Performances at Pirate Invitational
Conor Kvatek / UCF Athletics

Cross Country Builds Momentum With Strong Performances at Pirate Invitational

Following an eventful week of schedule changes, the UCF cross country team persevered in its first 6k of the season at the Pirate Invitational Friday morning, securing a respectable 6th-overall finish.

by Alex Clough

GREENVILLE, N.C. - Following an eventful week of schedule changes, the UCF cross country team persevered in its first 6k of the season at the Pirate Invitational Friday morning, securing a respectable 6th-overall finish.

The Knights were once again led by junior Isabella Richardson who placed 23rd (22:28.0) among a strong field of athletes, her second top-25 placement of the season. She was followed by Kendall Hughes, who continued her good form to start 2024 with a 27th-place finish (22:35.5) and her second personal best in as many meets. 

I thought we competed much better today than we did at the home meet. Unfortunately we had a handful of some of our top girls dealing with some illness but we have something on the books now that we can really look at and evaluate. We will be dropping some volume starting this week and I expect us to start feeling much fresher when we head to Bradley in a few weeks. Kendall was the standout for us today, set a PR and has been having some great workouts.

Assistant Coach Bryan Harmon

Sophomore Abby Clements continues to be among the leading pack of Knights, as the Florida native crossed the finish line in 22:50.9, good for 40th. It was a twin billing as Paige and Riley Jaszczak placed 49th and 58th respectively, as the tandem both went sub-22:10.

A freshmen duo secured top-100 placements as Ava Quattrocchi (23:13.0) and Avery Latto (23:13.7) finished nearly back-to-back in 64th and 66th. Penelope Sosa rounded out the double digits with a 77th-place finish and a time of 23:27.0)

Freshmen Gianna Del Pizzo (23:53.5), Lucy Voss (24:05.5), Madison Patchan (24:10.1) and Reese Anderson (52.02.6) concluded the meet for UCF.

Overall, 202 athletes crossed the line among 20 programs, as William & Mary secured first place with a dominating 19-point performance.

UP NEXT

The Knights will hit the road once again in two weeks time for their second 6k and regular-season finale at the Bradley Pink Classic on Friday, October 18. The race will begin at 3:45 p.m. ET.

RESULTS

Team Finish: 6th of 20 (181 Pts.)

* Personal Best