Cross Country Wraps Up 2025 Season with a Historic Regional PerformanceCross Country Wraps Up 2025 Season with a Historic Regional Performance

Cross Country Wraps Up 2025 Season with a Historic Regional Performance

by Isabelle Rhodes

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The UCF cross country team capped its 2025 season on a high note Friday morning at the NCAA South Regional Championships, where four Knights recorded personal bests to help the squad achieve the best team finish in program history, placing 13th overall.

"Today was just a really good way to finish the season. Especially after feeling like we may have left a little in the tank at Big 12. Lexi and Ava have had such great seasons, getting better each time out, and for Madison and Bailey to step their game up and take their game to a new level is really the spark we needed."

Coach Bryan HarmonOn the overall team effort

Sophomore Alexandra Raquet led the Knights for the third consecutive race, crossing the finish line with a new personal best of 20:29.2 for 42nd place. Raquet maintained a strong pace through the first four-kilometer stretch before surging over the final stretch to end her season in fitting dominant fashion.

Sophomores Ava Quattrocchi and Madison Patchan continued their strong campaigns as well, finishing within a second of one another. Quattrocchi placed 83rd, clocking in at 21:16.6, while Patchan crossed the finish line at the 21:16.7 mark for 85th, both finishing with a new personal record.

Senior Bailey McLain delivered a composed performance in her final regional appearance, steadily climbing through the middle kilometers and rounding out the Black and Gold’s group of top-100 finishers with a new personal record of 21:25.9.

Kenya native, Yvone Sandui, placed 114th with a time of 21:38.7, holding strong through a demanding mid-race section. Finishing close behind in 128th and 140th, seniors Paige Jaszczak and Kendall Hughes each posted respective times of 21:59.1 and 22:10.9, completing the Knights’ efforts on the day.

UCF’s 13th-place team finish marked the program’s best at the NCAA South Regional^, reflecting the consistent improvement of the squad throughout the season, thanks to its strong blend of experienced seniors and emerging talent of underclassmen.

Alabama’s Doris Lemngole won the individual title in 18:43.8, while Alabama and Florida secured automatic team bids to the NCAA Championships in Columbia, Missouri, later this month.

^Note: UCF’s 13th-place finish is the highest available in program records dating back to 2004.

RESULTS
Team Finish - 13th (400 pts)