Ariana Renault Leads Lady Bucs, Placing 1st in the Sunrise 5K

Senior Distance Runner Ariana Renault of the University of the Virgin Islands women's cross country team led the Lady Buccaneers by securing first place in the 2025 Champion Track Club Sunrise 5K held in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, on September 13.

The UVI team entered five of their six runners in the race. Among the five Lady Buccaneers who participated, Renault and sophomore Abigail Pruitt stood out from the competition. Renault achieved a winning time of 23:43.01, marking a significant return for her to the Lady Buccaneers after missing the entire 2024 cross country season due to injury.

"I am proud of the performance our women put forward, especially Ariana," stated head coach Dale Joseph. "The last time she competed for UVI two years ago, she finished just outside the top 10 at the HBCUAC Championships. After missing a year, she seems to be making a strong comeback. She aims to establish herself as one of the best in the conference during this season's championships."

Pruitt, originally from Kodiak, Alaska, had an impressive start in her official cross-country debut for the Lady Buccaneers, finishing the race in second place right after Renault.

Junior Gabrielle Quetel was the third Lady Buccaneer to finish, clocking in at 37:05, just two seconds ahead of her senior teammate Aisha Sabur, who finished with a time of 37:07. Sophomore Ruby Brahene rounded out the team's performance.

Looking ahead, the women's Cross Country team will travel to Tortola, British Virgin Islands, to participate in the BVI College Classic on September 27.