Cross Country Primed For Southern Showcase

ORLANDO - Following a third-place team finish to open the season, the UCF cross country team will head to Huntsville, Ala., this Friday, Sept. 12, to make its mark at the Southern Showcase.

Garnering an impressive top-15 finish at the Knights' previous meet, the Florida Intercollegiate, sophomore Ava Quattrocchi led the pack with a personal-best 5k time of 18:10.0. Quattrocchi won’t be the only member of the squad looking to build off the momentum of their last race as veteran Izzy Richardson also landed in the top-15 of racers, while Madison Patchan and Bailey McLain secured new personal-bests of their own.

12 Knights will be lacing up their spikes to represent the Black and Gold this weekend, including Richardson, Patchan, and Quattrochi alongside Daisy Ross and Masha Dorofeev. Rounding out the group, Avery Latto, Yvone Sandui, Alexandra Raquet, Riley Jaszczak, Kendall Hughes, Paige Jaszczak, and Abigail Clemets will all compete in what marks their first race of the 2025 season. 

Beginning at 9:30 A.M., the Knights will be on the line with 53 other teams, including top programs such as Alabama, Florida State, and Lipscomb, each of whom ranked in the top five in preseason polls. 

Having developed a reputation as “one of the fastest courses in the U.S.” due to multiple record-breaking performances, the John Hunt Park course is a 10-meter-wide, manicured grass course sure to test the Knights against regional and national competition. 

Although this race marks UCF’s first appearance at the Southern Showcase, it will not be the last time the Knights see John Hunt Park this season. This site is also set to host the 2025 NCAA Southern Regional Championships, making Friday’s race a valuable preview of the championship course. 

About UCF Athletics
UCF is a proud member of the Big 12 Conference. Our mission is to positively transform the lives of our students academically, athletically, and personally through a nationally competitive intercollegiate athletics program that enhances the reputation and visibility of the University. We strive to be Florida's preeminent athletic program representing UCF and our community with distinction on the national stage as "Orlando's Hometown Team". To learn more about UCF and Athletics, please visit our websites at www.ucf.edu and www.ucfknights.com.