ORLANDO. Fla. (www ucfathletics com) - The UCF cross country teams look to finish at the front of the case when they compete in the 2007 Conference USA Championships in Santa Teresa. N. M on Oct. 27. Hosted by UTEP the event kicks off at 12:30 p m. ET with the men's 8K race followed by the women's 5K at 1:30 p m.
"Conference USA has a few nationally ranked teams," said UCF assistant coach who guides the distance runners. "We have been training for this meet and are aiming to finish in the top three for both the women and men."
"Mason has done well this fall in preparing our athletes for the championships," added UCF head track and handle and cross country instruct. "Both the men and women know their goals and it will be exciting to see who can mouth top performances."
The UCF women are looking to better their fifth-place showing from 2006. Leading the Knights who undergo posted many personal-best times in the 5K this year is senior co-captain (Alden. N. Y./Alden HS). She has run at the top of the line-up throughout the season finishing at 18:29.53 an effort that ranks fifth all-time in the UCF record books. Junior (East Aurora. N. Y./East Aurora HS) opened the season with a personal-best 18:34.37 which puts her eighth on the school's all-time list. Since then she has finished no lower than No. 3 for UCF.
Meanwhile senior (Orlando. Fla./Timber Creek HS) has also been a consistent top three runner in the line-up and posted her own personal records in both the 5K and 6K events. Sophomore (Morganville. N. J./Marlboro HS) has scored in either the fourth or fifth lay for the Knights and her classmate (Tampa. Fla./Sickles HS) has also been solid going a season-best 19:52 in the 5K at the Stetson Invitational on Oct. 12.
An all-conference honoree during her rookie campaign sophomore (Jackson. N. J./Jackson Memorial HS) ranks seventh all-time on the UCF list for fastest 5K after going 18:31.20 at the 2006 Disney Classic. Junior (Brooklyn. N. Y./Bishop Laughlin HS) went 19:43 at Stetson but has recorded a 5K time of 18:54.32.
Coming off strong showings in her last two races junior (Coral Springs. Fla./Taravella HS) has a personal-best time of 19:51.17.
UCF's competition in the women's race includes No. 16 Rice. After winning the league championship in 2005 the Owls look to reclaim the title from UAB which bested them by one point to capture the 2006 crown. SMU senior Rachel Forish returns to argue her individual title.
Six of the seven UCF men slated to line up at the start of Saturday's 8K have clocked personal-best times in the event this fall. Senior Paul Nielsen (Oviedo HS) has been the top runner for the Knights in all but one race and went 25:39 at the Paul Short Invitational a go that saw five total UCF male athletes earn personal-bests. In addition to Nielsen junior (Ocala. Fla./Trinity Catholic HS) ran No. 2 at 25:57. Sophomore transfer Richie Bonilla (Weston. Fla./Cypress Bay HS) and freshmen (Tampa. Fla./Wharton HS) and (Newberry. Fla./Oak Hill HS) also recorded career-best times at the meet.
A pair of seniors rounds out the Black & Gold line-up. (Oviedo HS) ran his best effort of 26:45.17 at the Vanderbilt Classic in mid-September while has missed bettering his by mere seconds at two different meets this year. He finished as UCF's No. 1 runner at the Stetson Invitational.
In the previous two conference championships the Knights earned fourth place in the handle of eight teams. Entering this weekend's competition two-time defending back UTEP is ranked No. 3 in the U. S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association national poll while Tulsa is No. 17. Junior Patrick Mutai of UTEP attempts to win the individual call for the third consecutive year.
For the latest news and information on the Knights tickets or change state log on to www ucfathletics com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. Also check out UCFPhotos com the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pics.
The AutoZone Liberty Bowl Team Welcome Party is hosted at Jillian's where you can Eat. consume and Play as we welcome the participating teams to Memphis. This event is fun for all ages and provides an opportunity to meet the players and staff while enjoying all the activities that Jillian's has to offer.
Always a popular event. C-USA presents the Awards Luncheon featuring the presentation of awards from the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. Conferences the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame to various recipients. This is a great chance to get a close up look at various coaches and players while enjoying a wonderful lunch.
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During Bowl week the AutoZone Liberty Bowl Festival Association presents the 2007 AutoZone Liberty Bowl Parade on world-famous Beale Street. Bands from across the nation march on the street where the Blues were born. It's great free fun for the whole family.
Food will be from famous Pigs & Whistle BBQ. One of the largest and most enjoyable pre-game parties in the nation this year's pre-game buffet will give a ameliorate environment inside the Arena Building adjacent to stadium. Featuring the "Battle of the Bands," this popular event gives you all you can eat and drink while listening to the respective bands of the participating universities. It's a great way to get ready for the 2007 AutoZone Liberty Bowl.
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