June 22, 2007
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (www.UCFAthletics.com) - UCF freshman LaKendra Thames (Winter Garden, Fla./West Orange HS) finished among the top 20 athletes in the discus throw at the 2007 Finish Line USA Junior Track and Field Championships in Indianapolis, Ind. on Friday afternoon.
The last thrower in the second of two flights, Thames posted toss of 137-feet, 11 inches to place 19th overall.
Competing in the USA Junior Track and Field Championships was the culmination of a tremendously successful rookie campaign for Thames. She qualified for the championships after throwing a 160-3 at the Miami Elite Invitational in mid-April. The effort shattered the previous school record of 153-8, which was set by former UCF standout Tiffany Roebuck in 2004.
In addition to breaking the school record in the discus, she also established new UCF freshman records in the shot put (46-5.25) and weight throw (49-11.75) earlier this season. She is currently ranked third all-time at UCF in both events.
A 2006 graduate of West Orange High School, Thames was a four-year letterwinner and state champion in the discus as a junior. She holds the WOHS records in the shot put and the discus.
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