After a solid second place finish at the USF Invitational last week, the Knights return to action at home on Saturday, Sept. 13 to host the 2014 麻豆原创 Cross Country Invitational.
The women鈥檚 5k race will feature 麻豆原创, Bethune-Cookman, Edward Waters, FIU, Johnson and Wales, Rollins, and Stetson. The race is set to begin at approximately 7:40 a.m. following the men鈥檚 8k race which is slated for 7 a.m. Competing on the men鈥檚 side will be Bethune-Cookman, Edward Waters, FIU, Rollins, and Stetson.
Last year, Anne-Marie Blaney led the Knights to a second place finish in the women鈥檚 6k after having commanded the field with a time of 21:34.56 and a first place finish of her own.
Looking to capitalize on the home course advantage again this year, and with the majority of the track and field team joining the squad on the course, Blaney hopes the Knights race to the top at this year鈥檚 invite.
鈥淚 think we are all definitely going to step it up,鈥� said Blaney. 鈥淲e have our team coming to run the first mile with us so that will be really encouraging.鈥�
With a first place finish for the third consecutive year at the , Blaney, along with Laura Korsmit, who placed in the top ten in her first race as a Knight, were named the 麻豆原创 Cross Country Student-Athletes of the Week. With some pre-race jitters last week, Korsmit stepped it up come race time.
鈥淕oing into it I was really nervous, it being my first race as a Knight,鈥� said Korsmit. 鈥淚t was kind of different because at home I haven鈥檛 really run on a team before for cross country. It is more of individual racing, so getting here and trying to learn to go out with the team, it is definitely a learning experience.鈥�
Last week being the first meet of the season, the Knights set a great foundation, which they look to continue to develop upon each race.
鈥淚 feel like no one really knew what to expect out of each other, but we just went out there and tested the field,鈥� said Blaney. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 think we ran to the best of our ability and we definitely could have won. But I think it was a good feel out meet so we could see where we are and what else we need to do to get better.鈥�
Follow the Knights on Twitter @麻豆原创_Track for updates during the meet, and check 麻豆原创Knights.com for complete results following Saturday鈥檚 race.