For the first time in the 2024 season, the Florida Gators cross country team had an opportunity to put its talents on display.
Behind a strong performance from redshirt sophomore Breanna Stuart and redshirt freshman Emerson Miller, Florida made an early statement for the Fall.
The Gators men’s and women’s teams both finished in second place at the UCF Invite in Orlando Friday.
The men’s team finished its 5k race with 50 points and the women’s team recorded 51 points in the 5k.
Stuart was Florida’s best runner on the day en route to a third place finish with a time of 18:17.9. Freshman Ashley Fitzgerald bursted into the top 10 at the finish line in just her first meet running as a Gator with a 18:17.9 time.
The men’s team saw Miller score eight team points for the Gators with his 11th place finish at a 15:30.0 pace. Florida posted five top-20 finishes in what was an all around quality team effort to open 2024.
Next, Florida will compete at the Gans Creek Classic Sept. 27 in Colombia, Missouri.
Contact Max Tucker at mtucker@alligator.org. Follow him on X @Max_Tuckr1.
Max Tucker is a junior transfer student at UF. After obtaining his A.A. in Journalism from Santa Fe College in 2023, he chose further his education at Florida's College of Journalism and Communications. Max is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Science in Journalism with a specialization in sports and media. He enjoys golfing and going to the beach with his friends in his free time.
