Valby Notches Best Nationals Finish Since 2009
Saturday, November 20, 2021 | Cross Country
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – All-SEC First-Team… SEC Freshman-Team… All-South Region… And now, a USTFCCCA All-American.
Parker Valby made her nationals debut and came out firing with an All-American performance after she placed 27th out of 255 of the nation's best athletes at the NCAA XC National Championships on Saturday, Nov. 20.
"Parker ran tough and showed she is fearless and capable of running with the best in the country on any given day," assistant coach Chris Solinsky said. "To place 27th at this meet as a freshman signals a promising future. She is just getting started."
The Tampa native broke yet another record this cross country season at nationals. Last week at the NCAA South Regional meet, she collected the top regional 6k time in Florida history.
Now, she's etched her name in the record books once again after setting the new NCAA Championship top 6k time in program history to overtake Rebecca Lowe's mark of 20:18.8 that was set in 2009.
Valby also had the best outing at the National Championship meet since Lowe's 15th-place finish in '09.
The Gator ran a strong race from start to finish, leading the pack throughout the first 4,000 meters. Valby ran the fastest second mile time of the group and her quickest split came from the 5,000m mark with a time of 3:16.1.
BYU's Whittni Orton would go on to win the individual title after posting a 16:24.8 time, while NC State snagged the team title with 81 points after five of the Pack's runners claimed spots in the top-30.
RESULTS
Parker Valby – 27th, 19:50.3
Follow along with the Gators on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and on the web at FloridaGators.com.
Parker Valby made her nationals debut and came out firing with an All-American performance after she placed 27th out of 255 of the nation's best athletes at the NCAA XC National Championships on Saturday, Nov. 20.
"Parker ran tough and showed she is fearless and capable of running with the best in the country on any given day," assistant coach Chris Solinsky said. "To place 27th at this meet as a freshman signals a promising future. She is just getting started."
The Tampa native broke yet another record this cross country season at nationals. Last week at the NCAA South Regional meet, she collected the top regional 6k time in Florida history.
Now, she's etched her name in the record books once again after setting the new NCAA Championship top 6k time in program history to overtake Rebecca Lowe's mark of 20:18.8 that was set in 2009.
Valby also had the best outing at the National Championship meet since Lowe's 15th-place finish in '09.
The Gator ran a strong race from start to finish, leading the pack throughout the first 4,000 meters. Valby ran the fastest second mile time of the group and her quickest split came from the 5,000m mark with a time of 3:16.1.
BYU's Whittni Orton would go on to win the individual title after posting a 16:24.8 time, while NC State snagged the team title with 81 points after five of the Pack's runners claimed spots in the top-30.
RESULTS
Parker Valby – 27th, 19:50.3
Follow along with the Gators on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and on the web at FloridaGators.com.
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