Van De Grift, Brooks make strong debuts as collegiate runners

Posted Sep 6, 2011 by Bill Ward

Updated Sep 6, 2011 at 08:24 PM

In her first race for the University of Florida, former Durant High cross country standout Grace Van De Grift was named Southeastern Conference Freshmen of the Week for her performance in the Gators’ season-opening team victory at the Western Carolina Invitational on Friday in Cullowhee, N.C.

Van De Grift was UF’s top freshman female finisher in the meet, turning in a fourth-place finish as the Gators scored a perfect 15 in both the women’s and men’s races. She covered the two-mile course in 10 minutes, 34 seconds and became the first UF female freshman since 2008 to place in the top five overall in her season-opening race as a Gator.

She’s one of just three UF freshman runners since 2001 to accomplish thein current senior Genevieve LaCaze did so in 2008, while former Gator Ali Crabb recorded a top-five finish in her first race as a freshman in 2007. VanDeGrift averaged a 5.47.1 mile and was just 1.1 seconds off a top-three finish. Not only did the women’s squad sweep the top five, but the Gators placed eight runners in the top 10.

Not too far away on that same day in Durham, N.C., former Middleton star Amber Brooks made an equally impressive college debut when she finished as the No. 1 runner for a second-place North Carolina Central squad in a dual meet against Duke.

Brooks covered the 4-kilometer course in 15:40 to finish behind Duke runners Cydney Ross (14:58) and Virginia Hine (15:20). The next runner for NCCU was 24 seconds behind Brooks.