March 22, 2007
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - Freshman Jenny Clausen (Jackson, N.J./Jackson Memorial HS) broke her own UCF freshman record in the 5,000-meter run as the UCF women's track and field team opened competition at the Walt Disney World Invitational at Disney's Wide World of Sports® Complex on Thursday.
Making her outdoor season debut, Clausen took top honors in the 5,000m at 17:22.74, beating her previous time of 17:26.67 set during the 2006 Conference USA Indoor Championship on Feb. 23. She also owns the school's freshman record in the 3,000m.
In the 3,000m steeplechase, redshirt freshman Jamie Rzepecki (East Aurora, N.Y./East Aurora HS) took fifth with a time of 11:14.54 and junior Elizabeth Miller (Orlando, Fla./Timber Creek HS) claimed eighth in a personal best of 11:37.27. Gombos' time ranks second all-time at UCF, while Miller's is fourth.
Also during Disney Distance Night, the relay team of sophomore Shantile Blackburn, freshman Carley Dart, junior Kristen Zieminski and sophomore Kelly McNeill was second in the 4x1500m.
The men's cross country team also performed well in their second showing of the non-traditional season. Junior Paul Nielsen (Oviedo HS) finished second in the 5,000m at 15:19.46 followed by sophomore Daniel Conn (Ocala, Fla./Trinity Catholic HS) in third at 15:21.66. Both were also personal bests.
The Golden Knights continue competition at the Walt Disney World Invitational through Saturday, March 24. For the latest news and information on the Golden Knights, tickets or apparel log on to www.ucfathletics.com - the official site for UCF athletics.