Women's cross country team kicks off season Friday in Alabama

The Eastern Florida State College women's cross country team will compete in the Southern Showcase Friday morning in Huntsville, Alabama.

The women's team, who starts the season ranked 16^th in the USTFCCCA NJCAA Division II coaches poll, will compete for the first time this season at the John Hunt Cross Country Running Park.

"The front three of Malinda (Underwood), Rori (Pandolfini) and Aubrey (Orcutt) are really good right now, they are fit and look good," Eastern Florida State College women's cross country coach Doug Butler said. "Ember (Michaels), Maddie (Lusk) and Kyla (Waymire) are getting there, I am happy with how the team has been working and I think by November we will be a very strong team. I think we will surprise some people if we run like we are capable of running on Friday."

Pandolfini and Lusk are back from last year's team and are joined by some strong new runners that are ready for the new season.

"I feel like training has been pretty good, I feel good and am really excited. It feels like a while since I competed," sophomore transfer Malinda Underwood said. "I have competed there before and I actually Pr'd on it so for me, I want to just go out and enjoy it and see where I am. I just want to go out and enjoy it."

Friday's meet will begin at 8:30 a.m., after the men's race. It will be the first of three regular-season meets this season for the Titans.