July 27, 2006
ORLANDO - UCF track and field head coach Marcia Mansur-Wentworth announced the signing of Winter Haven native Lakendra Thames to a National Letter of Intent (NLI) on Thursday.
A graduate of East Orange High School, Thames won the 2006 Metro Conference Championships in both the shot put and the discus. Her personal bests of 45-feet, one inch in the shot put and 147-2 in the discus ranked as the best efforts at the state high school level last season.
Thames boasts a history of great performances as she won the state championship in the discus in 2005. She also won the 2006 Disney Relays title in the shot put.
"Lakendra is a great addition to our team," said Mansur-Wentworth. "With her talent coupled with that of fellow signee and Orlando native Jessica Frances, UCF will continue its tradition of a strong throwing lineup."
In their first year in Conference USA, the Golden Knights finished seventh at the indoor track and field championship and ninth in the outdoor championship.