Which Florida Alumni Punched Their Ticket To The NCAA Championships In Terre Haute?

Todd Grasley


(Photo By Ross Obley, FSU Sports Info)

The best collegiate harriers in the country will compete in Terre Haute, Indiana this weekend for the chance to be crowned NCAA Champions. Eight of those athletes are Florida alumni and ironically enough all of them earned their NCAA berths coming out of the South Regional in Tallahassee. UCF junior Anne-Marie Blaney has been spectacular for the Knights. Blaney claimed the third individual spot, finishing fourth overall and running a school record time of 19:39.90. This will be her first NCAA appearance in her career and the second ever for the University of Central Florida (Sonja Shedden in 2000) women's cross country program.

On the women's side Vanderbilt won the team title by ONE POINT over host Florida State. The Commodores roster includes two Florida alumni in Rebecca Chandler (Bolles C/O 2011) and Vanessa Valentine (Melbourne C/O 2012). Chandler the teams number six runner came in 31st overall while Valentine the teams number seven runner was 41st overall.


(Photo By Michael Schwarz, FSU Sports Info)

The Seminole women's runner-up showing gave them an all expense paid trip to Terre Haute for yet another year. Bridge Blake (Dr. Phillip's C/O 2013), Chelsi Woodruff (Trinity Prep C/O 2010), and Katie Slater (Estero C/O 2014) were the Noles' four, five and seven runners. Also, making the trip will be Christine Griggs (Episcopal School of Jacksonville C/O 2012) who will serve as one of the team's alternates.
 

(Photo By Michael Schwarz, FSU Sports Info)
 
On the men's side, Mark Robertson (Pensacola Washington C/O 2014) was the University of Mississippi's 7th runner, finishing 29th overall. The meet was Robertson's first 10k of his college career. Ole Miss won the south regional over FSU. Stanley Linton (Wakulla C/O 2012) and Otniel Teixiera (Lake Brantley C/O 2012) will also travel with the rest of their runner-up Seminole teammates to NCAA's.


(Photo By Michael Schwarz, FSU Sports Info)
 
Congratulations to all of our former Florida standouts running in college and best of luck to those running this weekend! We will be cheering for you!