Final Results

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Sophomore Erin Phelps pulled away over the final mile for the first cross country victory of her running career, pacing the Florida State women to a runaway victory at Saturday’s UAH Charger Open.

With five runners among the top-10 finishers the Noles totaled 24 points, easily outdistancing runner-up Union University (78 points) and the rest of the 12-team field.

Phelps, one of a handful of Noles at the meet vying for a spot on the ACC Championship roster, came into the meet with a great deal of confidence. And the Tallahassee native and Chiles High product didn’t disappoint.

“I definitely felt like I would have my teammates as my competition, because they have practiced and trained well,” said Phelps, who received some pre-race words of encouragement from operations assistant Alex Midgett. “Alex kind of motivated me before we started, saying that she believed that I could [win]. I definitely took that to heart and tried to live up to the expectations.”

Phelps was running at the front with teammates Yasmine Abbes and Ginelle DeMone at the two-mile mark on the brand new course which was formerly the Huntsville Municipal Golf Course, when she realized the pace had slowed from the first mile.

“I looked at my watch and thought, ’Man, we slowed down. I have to pick it up,’” she said. “After that I kind of made the move and tried to make up that ground I felt that I had lost. I just kind of worked it from there.”

She crossed the finish line in 17:50.51 – one of eight personal-best 5k cross country times on the day for the Noles – 21 seconds clear of freshman teammate and runner-up Abbes (18:11.73), who also recorded a personal-best.