GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Redshirt junior Parker Valby, a standout on the University of Florida’s Women’s Cross Country team, has been named the USTFCCCA NCAA Division I Women’s Athlete of the Week. This recognition comes on the heels of her remarkable performance at the Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational, where she not only clinched the individual title but also set a new course record.
A Commanding Performance At Nuttycombe Invitational
Valby’s race at the Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational was nothing short of extraordinary. She led from the gun and maintained her position throughout the race.
Despite challenging weather conditions, including heavy rain and strong winds, Valby finished with a time of 19:17.2, breaking the previous Wisconsin Course record of 19:19.0 set in 2015.
Read more: Parker Valby wins Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational 6k; Florida women take 5th
Team Effort
Valby’s individual brilliance was complemented by a strong team performance. The Gators finished fifth overall, amassing 262 points. Teammates Flomena Asekol, Elise Thorner, and Allison Wilson also had impressive runs, finishing 16th, 30th, and 38th, respectively.
Their collective effort led to victories over highly-ranked teams such as No. 4 Notre Dame, No. 8 Washington, and No. 10 Colorado.
“Parker has continued to elevate her game over the past months and has really invested in raising her running IQ,” said the team’s coach Will Palmer. “Much of that work was reflected in her race this past weekend.
“She’s also feeding off the positive energy from our team as a whole. It’s exciting to see things start to come together, and I know she will only improve as we move into the post-season.”
Upcoming Action
The Florida Gators Cross Country team will be back in action on October 27 for the SEC Championships in Columbia, South Carolina.
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For Parker Valby TFRRS stats, please click here
