Throughout Cory McGee’s career at UF, she has been a triple-threat.
While running through unleveled cross-country terrains, circling an indoor track and competing as a member of Team USA, McGee has become an elite runner.
As a senior, she is hoping to use all of these experiences to have her most successful season yet.
“I think I’m an aggressive athlete and an aggressive racer,” McGee said.
“So I think that no matter what field I’m put in, I’m going to do everything I can to win the race.”
The 21-year-old distance runner from Pass Christian, Miss., had the opportunity to compete for Team USA in Moscow in the summer of 2013.
McGee was ecstatic to represent her country last summer at the IAAF World Championships.
“Donning the red, white and blue and getting to know those people was so incredible,” she said.
“I totally immersed myself in the experience and just spend every minute getting to know the team.”
McGee said there were eight men chosen from UF, but she was the lone woman chosen for the national team. She said it felt like her and the men had the same talent and capabilities.
With the combination of running cross country in the fall and track and field in the spring, she has complied plenty of credibility and accolades for her collegiate career.
Her career bests include a 4:32.10 mile run during the 2013 indoor season, and a 2:05.39 800-meter run in the outdoor season of 2012.
As a testament to her success, she was named to the Bowerman Trophy women’s preseason watch-list before the 2014 indoor season, a first-time appearance.
The Bowerman is regarded as the Heisman Trophy of collegiate track and field, and it is awarded to the top male and female athlete in NCAA track and field.
McGee would be the first Florida athlete to win the award, which has been given out every year since 2009.
“I know a few of them and to kind of feel like I’m compared in the same class is definitely exciting,” McGee said.
“To look back on people who’ve won this award in the past is a humbling experience.
“I love track so much, so if I could potentially win the Bowerman award, that would just be the most fulfilling achievement up to date.”
McGee lived up to the hype at the Gators’ first meet of the season.
The senior runner finished first in the women’s 800-meter at the UAB Blazer Invitational on Jan. 11, setting a meet record with a time of 2:07.47.
McGee’s win was one of 13 Florida event victories at the meet.
Paul Spangler, the assistant cross country and distance coach, who has trained his star athlete while at UF, said she has done extremely well.
Spangler said she is a competitor that is not intimidated by other runners and wants to compete against the best in the world.
What seems like a minimum amount of events left for McGee to compete for is far from what lies after her collegiate career.
“It’s another stepping stone towards what I hope to do in the future,” McGee said. “I hope to continue my track and field career.”
Follow Lawrence Laguna on Twitter @LagunaLawrence
Cory McGee runs in the Southeastern Conference Cross Country Championships on the Mark Bostick Golf Course on Nov. 1, 2013. McGee won her first event of the 2014 track and field season on Jan. 11.
