The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Cross Country Set for 2009 NCAA South Regional
11/13/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Cross Country
Nov. 13, 2009
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB cross country team is set to compete in the 2009 South Regional Cross Country Championships hosted by the University of Alabama this Saturday. The women's 6K race is scheduled for 11:15 a.m. CT at the Harry Pritchett Running Park in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
The South Regional features a loaded field of competition, including three nationally ranked teams in No. 3 Florida, No. 9 Florida State and No. 29 Tennessee.
In addition to the three nationally ranked teams, the regional rankings include the top 15 teams out of the 47 in the south region. Florida, Florida State, Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama are all ranked in the top five. UAB is ranked 12th in the region and is the only C-USA school featured in the south region rankings.
UAB will be running its top seven finishers from the Conference USA Championships, which include Colleen Standridge, Kristina Olsen, Kristina Vaughn, Kendel Hood, Clara Cid, Bianca Le'Blanc and Rhiannon Johns.
"Colleen Standridge is fresh off a break-through race at the Conference USA meet," UAB cross country coach Blake Boldon said. "I think she's ready to step it up again. Every week she looks better and better."
At the Conference USA Championships on Oct. 31, Standridge was the top finisher for the Blazers, finishing 19th out of 90 runners with a time of 19:06.50. Standridge topped her previous personal-best 5K time of 19:15.40 set at last year's Walt Disney World Classic.
"I also hope for big things from Kristina Olsen," Boldon said. It's her last cross country race as a Blazer and I would love for her to finish on a high note."
Olsen finished second for the Blazers at the C-USA Championships and took 27th place overall with a time of 19:29.70. Redshirt junior Kendel Hood ran to a time of 19:44.80 to take 30th, while sophomore Kristina Vaughn claimed 34th with a time of 19:49.40.
The team will have a banquet Friday night at UAB before heading to Tuscaloosa Saturday.
"Running so close to home allows us to do some special things," Boldon said. "Friday night we're having a team banquet with featured remarks from Senior Associate Athletic Director, Derita Ratcliffe. Beyond the race, our banquet will be a memorable way to bring the season to a close."
