Sandui Garners Cross Country's First Big 12 Runner of the Week HonorSandui Garners Cross Country's First Big 12 Runner of the Week Honor
Conor Kvatek / UCF Athletics

Sandui Garners Cross Country's First Big 12 Runner of the Week Honor

by Aiden Kocol
Opens in a new window Big 12 Article

ORLANDO – After delivering one of the fastest 5K performances in program history and finishing in the top 20 at last Friday’s meet, sophomore Yvone Sandui has garnered the UCF cross country team’s first-ever Big 12 Runner of the Week honor.

"It was great to see her [Sandui] come out in her first race of the season and perform at a high level. I know she put in a really good summer, and she picked up this fall right where she left off last spring. Looking forward to what's ahead for her."

Head Coach Bryan Harmon

Competing in a field of nearly 500 runners at the Southern Showcase, Sandui led the Knights with a personal-best time of 17:11.9, finishing 19th overall. Her impressive run placed her ahead of five of the seven Alabama athletes—members of the South Region’s top-ranked team. As well as being the third-highest placer among all the Florida schools competing in the showcase. 

Sandui’s time not only stood out in the competition but also etched her name into the UCF record books as the third-fastest 5K in program history. While it ranks third overall, Sandui becomes the second-fastest woman in UCF history, as both the top two times are held by program legend Anne-Marie Blaney.

UCF_XC_YvoneSandui.jpg

This marks the first cross country athlete of the week honor for any Knight since Sept. 20, 2022, when Izzy Richardson was named American Athletic Conference Athlete of the Week following her record-setting freshman debut. However, Sandui is the first cross-country athlete in program history to receive a Big 12 Conference Runner of the Week title.

In addition to Sandui’s standout performance, the UCF cross country team is gaining regional recognition. As announced Monday afternoon, the Knights are now ranked 13th in the South Region in the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) poll. It’s the first time UCF has appeared in the regional rankings since Oct. 17, 2022, and the program’s highest placement since Oct. 3 of that year.

About UCF AthleticsUCF 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.