Women's cross country team to compete in first national tournament on Saturday

The Eastern Florida State College women's cross country team will compete in the NJCAA Division I Women's Cross Country Championships at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee.

Eastern Florida State College is competing for a national championship in their first season of competition.

The Titans are coming off a victory at the NJCAA Region 8 Championship two weeks ago as Rachel Starr led the way, finishing second with a season-best time of 20 minutes, 42.70 seconds. Teammate Allison Downie was third with a personal best 21:05.80 and Julie Hannah was fifth, also running a personal best at 22:03.9. Nicole Dombal was seventh overall with a personal-best run of 22:25.70.

"It's been a very interesting and exciting first season. Our ladies have exceeded all expectations and I couldn't be prouder of them," Eastern Florida State College women's cross country coach Doug Butler said. "We dropped our team average over a minute this year and I think whatever happens Saturday at Nationals, they can walk away proud of what they did this fall."

The NJCAA Division I women's race will begin at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in Tallahassee.