Anne-Marie Blaney’s first season in the American Athletic Conference proved to be a memorable one as the sophomore took first place in the league’s inaugural Women’s Cross Country Championship with a time of 20:19.45 and helped push the Knights to a program-best fourth place finish.
“This is the best finish ever by UCF. This is the best they’ve ever done and we’ve very happy. We just go out and do our best, and that’s all I can ask for as a coach. Just give me your best and we’re happy and they’ve all done that,” said Knights’ head coach Johnny Gray.
Five Knights contributed points in UCF’s top-five finish as they set new personal records. Sophomore Heather Classe was the Knight’s second top finisher with her time of 21:42.45 for 21st place.
Amelia Williams (37th) and Senior Erica Winston (38th) emerged as UCF’s third and fourth finishers with times of 22:41.51 and 22:46.86, respectively, while sophomore Jocelyn Adona rounded out the Knights’ top-five with a time of 23:11.59 to place 45th overall.
“Everyone set personal records from our fifth place finisher on up,” said Gray. “All of our top runners set personal records by huge margins. Anne-Marie finished 24th last year in the (C-USA) championship, and placed first this year. Heather (Classe) took 21st, which is a huge improvement, too. I would have love to have Amy, but she is injured. If we had her we probably would have finished in the top three.”
Next up, the Knights will prepare for the NCAA South Region Championships, which will take place on Nov. 15 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.