Raquet Leads the Way For Cross Country at Big 12 ChampionshipRaquet Leads the Way For Cross Country at Big 12 Championship

Raquet Leads the Way For Cross Country at Big 12 Championship

by Aiden Kocol
Results Season Statistics

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Competing in its third Big 12 Championship, the UCF cross country team put forth a strong effort, staying with the pack to secure a 12th-place finish.

"I was really pleased with our toughness level today. We knew PRs weren't happening today, as this was easily the most challenging course we've run all season, and having a few girls not at 100% we needed everyone to reach deep, and they did."

Coach Bryan Harmon

Sophomore Alexandra Raquet continues to impress, having led the Knights the whole way through with a 3000m split of 10:08.5. Raquet ultimately finished in 47th with a time of 21:03.7, marking both the best time and best finish by any Knight in the Big 12 Championship.   

Ava Quattrocchi also posted a solid 22:04.8 mark, toppling her 22:47.0 time at last year’s championship race. Coming through the halfway point, the sophomore’s 10:44.2 split placed her at 86th, but she showcased an impressive kick in the latter half of the race to slot in at 77th.

A duo of Knights crossed the line next, with Yvone Sandui finishing at the 22:28.8 minute mark to place 94th, with Kendall Hughes right on her heels at 95th with a time of 22:29.0.

Madison Patchan was the next runner in Black and Gold to cross the finish line, putting up a time of 22:34.8 to round out the group of top-100 finishers in 99th. 

Competing in her first Big 12 Championship, Bailey McLain posted a time of 22:40.3 to finish 103rd, improving in the second half after marking in at 109th with a 3000m split of 10:58.2.

Paige Jaszczak (22:42.7)  and Riley Jaszczak (22:44.7) stayed neck and neck the whole race, crossing the finish line nearly in tandem to finish 106th and 107th, respectively. 

Seniors Izzy Richardson and Penelope Sosa wrapped up the race for the Knights, with Richardson pulling away in the final 3000m to finish in 114th with a time of 23:08.2. Sosa wasn’t far behind in 116th with a time of 23:12.5.

"I want to thank our five seniors for their efforts over the last four years. Some of them have come quite a long way in the last few years as we've transitioned to the Big 12. They've left some big shoes to fill."

Coach Bryan Harmon

BYU ultimately took first place for the third season in a row, with freshman Jane Hedengren shattering course and championship records.

UP NEXT

The Knights will set their sights on the NCAA South Region Championships as they return to John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Ala., to compete on Nov. 14.  

RESULTS

Team Finish - 12th (351 pts)