UVI Women's Cross Country HBCUAC Championship Preview

ST. THOMAS, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS, October 16, 2024 – The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) women's cross country team will compete at the 2024 Historically Black College and University Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) Cross Country Championships hosted by Decatur Morgan County Tourism.

For the third straight season, the HBCUAC six-kilometer championship race will be held at the Oakville Indian Mounds Cross Country Course in Danville, Alabama, on October 18 and will be streamed live on HBCU+.

Sophomore Gabrielle Quetel is poised for her best performance of the season in Danville. The Virgin Islands native has shown improvement by decreasing her time between the first two races of the season, and this positive trend is expected to continue at the upcoming conference championship.

Freshman Emma Alexander will have her final opportunity to achieve success in a race this season. Unfortunately, a lingering injury has hindered Alexander from completing the course in her two previous attempts, resulting in a "Did Not Finish" designation.

Completing the team's roster are two student-athletes who will be making their season debut for the Lady Buccaneers, junior Aisha Sabur and freshman Ruby Brahene. Their addition brings depth and talent to the team as they look to make an impact in the final race of the season.

Head coach Dale Joseph acknowledged that the team is relatively inexperienced, as this is their first time competing at the conference championships. "I'm looking for individual growth and progress for each athlete, closing the season on a good note," said Joseph. "We are establishing a solid foundation for the program as we look ahead to next season."

The HBCUAC Championships will be UVI's first time since competing at the Ave Maria Invitational on October 5. The team was scheduled to run at the Apalachee Regional Park in the Florida State Cross Country Invite, but the team's trip was canceled due to Hurricane Milton's impact on the state of Florida.