UVI Women’s Cross Country 2025 Season Preview

ST. THOMAS, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS, September 5, 2025 – The women's cross-country team at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) is preparing to officially kick off the 2025 season in a familiar setting, participating in the Sunrise 5k on St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, scheduled for September 13. The team is predicted to finish in 11th place in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) as announced in the preseason rankings, mirroring their finish from the previous season.

Head coach Dale Joseph is back for his third consecutive year leading the program, having guided the team for a significant portion of the 2000s. His earlier tenure with the Buccaneers spanned from 2007 to 2020, during which UVI enjoyed considerable success under his direction.

"Eleventh place is a fair ranking for the preseason," Joseph stated. "However, I am confident that this team will showcase strong individual performances and will be able to improve its position as a team in the final standings at the conference championships in October."

This year's roster features a six-woman team, including four returning members from last season. Senior Aisha Sabur, junior Gabrielle Quetel, and sophomore Ruby Brahene will all return after competing for the program last year. Senior Ariana Renault, anticipated to be the team's leading finisher, is also making her eagerly awaited return after missing the entire 2024 season due to injury.

Sophomore Abigail Pruitt and freshman Brooklyn Donovan will both be making their cross-country debuts for the Lady Buccaneers.

UVI will participate in a three-meet regular season before focusing on the conference championships in October. After the season opener, the Lady Buccaneers will enjoy a two-week break before heading to Tortola, British Virgin Islands (BVI) for the BVI College Classic on September 27. The team will then return to St. Thomas for their regular-season finale on October 4, in the "Founder's Day Run." Their sole meet on the U.S. mainland will take place at the HBCUAC Championships, where they will compete against conference rivals on October 17 in Decatur, Alabama.