ORLANDO – After opening the season with one of the strongest 5K stretches in program history, the UCF women’s cross country team returns to competition Friday, Oct. 16, for its first 6K of the 2026 season at the Arturo Barrios Invitational in College Station, Texas.
The Knights enter the meet with momentum following a historic start to the season. UCF opened the year with a team title at the Florida Intercollegiate, marking its first victory under distance coach Bryan Harmon. Junior Alexandra Raquet also captured the individual title with a time of 16:52.88, the second-fastest 5K in program history. Alongside Raquet, Caroline Moon, Madison Patchan, Emily Wheldon and Bailey McLain each recorded personal-best times, while Daisy Ross posted a collegiate best.
Two weeks later, the Knights carried that momentum into the Southern Showcase, placing sixth in a field of 31 teams. Four Knights recorded personal bests, highlighted by Moon’s 17:32.8 performance, which moved her into sixth on UCF’s all-time 5K list.
Through the first two meets, UCF continued to show improvement across its lineup, lowering its scoring-five average from 17:51 at the Florida Intercollegiate to 17:38 at the Southern Showcase. The performances mark the fastest opening two-race 5K stretch since Harmon took over in 2022, providing a strong foundation as the Knights prepare to transition to the longer 6K distance.
The Arturo Barrios Invitational will provide UCF with its first opportunity to build on that success over 6K. Last season, the Knights delivered several notable performances at the distance, beginning with a ninth-place team finish at the Bradley Pink Classic. Raquet placed eighth overall with a time of 21:45.77, while Ava Quattrocchi recorded a 21:42.93 performance.
The Knights continued to progress throughout the 2025 season. At the Big 12 Championship, UCF finished 12th, led by Raquet’s 21:03.7 performance and 47th-place finish. Quattrocchi, Yvone Sandui, Kendall Hughes and Patchan also finished among the top 100.
UCF closed the campaign with its best NCAA South Regional finish in program history, placing 13th overall. Raquet led the Knights with a time of 20:29.29, the second-fastest 6K in program history, while Quattrocchi, Patchan and McLain each recorded personal bests.
Friday will also mark UCF’s return to the Arturo Barrios Invitational for the first time since 2023. The Knights previously competed at the meet in 2022 and 2023, with the 2023 edition serving as their first 6K of that season. UCF placed 13th in 2022 before finishing 22nd in 2023.
With the 5K portion of the regular season complete, the Knights now shift their focus to the distance that will define the championship portion of their schedule. Friday’s race will offer an opportunity to evaluate UCF’s depth and continued progression against a competitive field as the team builds toward the Big 12 Championship and NCAA South Regional Championships.
The women’s 6K is scheduled for 9:50 a.m. EDT Friday at the Watts Cross Country Course in College Station, Texas.
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.