LAWRENCE, Kansas - For the second time in program history, the UCF track and field team will embark on the Big 12 Outdoor Championships, making the midwest journey to Rock Chalk Park for an action-packed three days of competition.
Each day will be streamed on ESPN+ with live commentary during the evening sessions courtesy of James Westling and John Nownes. Live Results can be found here.
UCF IN THE BIG 12
Nearly a year removed from former Knight Rayniah Jones’ historic victory in the 100m hurdles, securing UCF its first individual title in the league, the squad will also look to defend a 4x400m relay title tallied at the Indoor Championships in Lubbock earlier this year.
Overall, the Knights have authored six podium placements across a combined three Big 12 Championships to this point, with an 11th-place finish during indoor highlighting their best team placement.
All gold from head to toe 🥇
— UCF Track & Field/XC (@UCF_Track) March 2, 2025
The first @Big12Conference indoor event title in program history‼️ pic.twitter.com/QUghHQ3U6x
LAST TIME OUT
The Knights concluded their regular-season slate in Jacksonville at the East Coast Relays, the site of the NCAA East Preliminary Round. Adaobi Tabugbo highlighted a brilliant display from the hurdles squad, as a trio qualified for the finals, eventually ushering a second-place performance from the Nigerian.
Sophomore Y’Vette Harris clocked a personal best and 10th-fastest time in program history (13.08), while Ese Awusa's breakthrough in the prelims secured a personal record of her own (13.34).
A season-best 44.06 from the 4x100m relay squad provided a path forward ahead of this weekend’s championships, as Jazmen Newberry, Janiah Pulliam, I’Asia Wilson and Tabugbo combined to secure a second-place finish.
Yvone Sandui’s growth in her short time with the distance squad has been remarkable, with her best outing of the season securing her a piece of history. The Norfolk State transfer became the second Knight ever to run sub-2:05 in the 800m, crossing the line in 2:04.94 to place seventh overall.
Back-to-back PR weekends 🗣️
— UCF Track & Field/XC (@UCF_Track) May 3, 2025
Yvone drops nearly two seconds in Jax for a time of 2:04.94 and No. 2 in program history‼️ pic.twitter.com/nBqiVnL0lD
EVENTS TO WATCH
100m Hurdles | Prelims - Friday at 6:15 p.m. ET | Finals - Saturday at 6:55 p.m. ET
UCF possesses one of the strongest hurdle groups in the nation, with two securing podium finishes during the Big 12 Indoor Championships. Tabugbo currently ranks second in the conference with a 12.93, joined in the top 15 by the aforementioned Harris and Awusa. Jones won the event with a 12.78 a year ago.
200m | Prelims - Thursday at 8:25 p.m. ET | Finals - Saturday at 8;35 p.m. ET
Both Janiah Pulliam and Newberry rank among the top eight in the conference, each looking to follow in former Knight Kiah Williams’ footsteps, who placed sixth in the seventh last season. Both sit in the record books with the ninth and 10th fastest times in program history, though they will have to navigate a tough field in Lawrence.
4x400m Relay | Saturday at 9:40 p.m. ET
The indoor title holders will author a different squad without Williams, as Pulliam and Harris slotted into the fold during a season-best 3:35.17 at the Florida Relays. While Johnson and Newberry will also look to collect points in the 400m, the 4x400m and 4x100m relay squads will each aim for the podium on Saturday.