Women's cross country team opens season Friday in Lakeland

The Eastern Florida State College women's cross country team will compete in the Holloway Collegiate XC Opener Friday morning in Lakeland.

The women's race will begin at 7:45 a.m.

The women's team brings back four runners from last year's team that look to improve on last year's results.

"I feel like everyone has been working well, posting some personal bests and I am very excited to run on Friday. I feel like we are pretty prepared, I feel like we are already ahead of last year," sophomore Amelia Shephard said.

Teammate Rori Pandolfini is new to the team this season and believes this team is ready to begin the new season.

"I think we will do well, first meet so hope to run well. I just need to go out like I did last year, don't put too much pressure on myself and stay motivated," Pandolfini said.

The team will be a bit shorthanded without two of their more experienced runners this weekend.

"It is a little scary without Marlie (Gonzalez) and Bella (Narvaez) both inured, so we will be without two of our top five but the other three are running really well. They are all in PR shape for sure," Eastern Florida State College women's cross country coach Doug Butler said. "Maddison (Lusk) has been training hard. We will be better in a week or so."

Friday's meet is the first of four regular season meets.