Carey Sets a new school record and 5 Pats run their collegiate debuts.

The Patriots kicked off their 2023 season racing the 4.2k at Holloway Park Friday, September 1.  Brianna Carey ran the 2.6 mile muddy, hilly, and swampy course in 19 minutes and 46 seconds to set a school record for the distance.  In their collegiate debuts, freshman Magda Barcia (20:41) and freshman Erica Pickron (20:50) rounded out the top five scoring Pats with Heidi Kearney (21:06) and Autumnskye Hirschi (21:24).  For Autumnskye, it was both her first race and her birthday.  Iraly Faria (21:46), Madison Strickland (22:09), and Myra Hill (24:31) all gave solid efforts on a tough Lakeland course. 

The top 5 Lady Patriots held a one minute and 38 second spread running as a team.  With three veteran runners and five newcomers. It was the first collegiate race for five teammates and additionally the first ever race for three.  The Pats were 9 points behind South Florida State College, the only other JUCO team in attendance.  Competitors including Florida Southern, USF, UT, Embry Riddle, and SFSC set a fast-paced opener. With great excitement, the Pats look to the next race on September 16 in Daytona Beach at the Embry Riddle Invitational.