Florida State head women’s cross country coach Karen Harvey isn’t shy on sharing how special her Seminole squad has been this fall. As they prepare to head to Terre Haute for NCAAs, Harvey is clearly flabbergasted with what her number one-ranked team has been able to do and marvels at what they can accomplish.
 

“I’ve seen some workouts from this group that have blown my mind. They’ve just annihilated them,” Harvey shared over the phone Tuesday night. “I’ve shown other people what these girls are doing in workouts and they’re like, ‘what?!’”
 

The Seminoles overtook the top ranking on October 18 and haven’t looked back. To combat the FSU, the Big East sends two strong contenders for the title in Villanova, who will be hungrily looking to complete their three-peat, as well as Georgetown’s deep pack. From the South comes Florida State, who won the ACC title with five runners in the top six placings, and took the South Regional while claiming the top three individual spots, all while winning over a strong Vanderbilt (34-54) squad by 20 points.
 

Florida State’s convincing victories this year have earned them their top spot, but Harvey is predicting a close battle.
 

“There are five teams that could win. It’s a tight year and no one is going to run away with it, “Harvey said. “It’s about each and every one of them going out and doing their assignment.”
 

Senior Hannah Brooks, junior Violah Lagat, junior Jessica Parry, freshman Colleen Quigley, junior Kayleigh Tyerman, Amanda Winslow, and freshman Aubree Worden make up the Seminole squad. Harvey admits having concerns about experience within her team early on this fall, but quickly saw those worries diminish as the season got under way. 
 

Winning her fifth consecutive ACC women’s Cross Country Coach of the Year award, Harvey shares that she hasn’t changed her system since her arrival five years ago. One thing that Harvey stresses is staying relaxed heading into the NCAA championships.
 

“The mental aspect is huge. We’re going to have fun and do what we do every year, we’re going to have craft night the night before,” Harvey said. “We’re going to make Thanksgiving crafts and have a lot of fun and relax.”

The Seminoles have been a fixture upon the podium for the last four years, including runner-up finishes in 2009 and 2010. If they can pull off a win this year, it would be the first in school history. Harvey feels confident in their top rating and chances in their contention for the team title.

“I think this is a journey that’s been placed before us. This was written that we’d be a contender to win,“ Harvey said. “Someone has to be ranked number one and someone has to win.”