Women's cross country team ready to compete for national title

The Eastern Florida State College women's cross country team will compete in the NJCAA Division II Cross Country Championships Saturday in Fort Dodge, Iowa.

The Titans are coming off a solid third-place showing in the FCSAA Championships and look to be even better at the Lakeside Golf Course in Iowa on Saturday.

"I am shooting for a top 15 finish for the ladies, I think they can do that," Eastern Florida State College women's cross country coach Doug Butler said.

Sophomore Rori Pandolfini leads a talented group of experienced runners as Pandolfini finished 10^th overall in the FCSAA Division II Championships with a season-best time of 20 minutes, 34.7 seconds. She believes she can do even better in the national championships.

"I think I did pretty good last year in the race and getting to run in a new environment is exciting," Pandolfini said. "We have all gotten better throughout the season and we see what we are capable of. I hope I can break 20 minutes, I think I can do so much better and I believe I can get into the 19s."

Malinda Underwood finished the 5K race in 21 minutes while Maddison Lusk was 22^nd at 21:50.7 while Aubrey Orcutt (21:56.6) and Ember Michaels (21:59.5) right behind them.

"It has been a very dedicated group as far as working. Overall, the whole group has been phenomenal," Butler said. "The big thing this week, you have to sleep. If you can't get nine hours of sleep this week it isn't enough. Proper rest is really key."

The women's team is looking to beat its best finish of 15^th place which they accomplished two seasons ago. It will be the fourth straight season that the Titans will be running in the national championships and first year competing in the NJCAA Division II race.