Feb. 16, 2008
Tyson Invitational Results in PDF Format
Carolina Chick Fil-A Classic Results in PDF Format
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. and CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (www.ucfathletics.com) - The UCF track and field squad set two school records on Saturday, the final day of the prestigious Tyson Invitational hosted by the University of Arkansas. Junior Shantile Blackburn (Brooklyn, N.Y) set the school record in the 800-meter dash, while junior jumper Dione Thomas (Jacksonville, Fla.) broke UCF's triple jump record and came four centimeters shy of an NCAA provisional-qualifying mark.
Blackburn broke her own school record in the 800 meters, by finishing in a time of 2:12.55. That topped the previous school record time of 2:13.85 that she set two weeks ago at the Frank Sevigne Invitational in Lincoln, Neb.
Thomas recorded a leap of 41-4.50 in the triple jump to break LaTrica Firby's record-setting mark of 41-1 set in the 2001 season. Her leap, equivalent to a metric measure of 12.61, was four centimeters shy of notching the team's second NCAA provisional-qualifying mark of the season. The provisional measure, which is used to select participants for at-large selection to the NCAA Championships in March, is 12.65 for the triple jump. Her third-place finish in the triple jump comes a day after finishing second in the long jump.
The Knights have now broken 11 different school indoor records so far this season, including breaking several records multiple times this season.
"Today, our athletes settled in and became more comfortable competing against athletes of this caliber, and their performances were much better than yesterday," UCF head coach Caryl Smith Gilbert said. "Shantile's school record in the 800 and Dione's school record in the long jump showed we are coming along with achieving our goals of breaking school records and working to qualify for nationals. Some of our athletes have next week off as we get ready and polish our performances for the Conference USA Championships at the end of the month."
At the Carolina Chick Fil-A Classic hosted by the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C., sophomore thrower Jessica Francis (Orlando, Fla.) recorded a seven-foot personal record toss in the weight throw. Her throw of 47-6 on Saturday bested her previous best mark of 40-2.
Freshman mid-distance runner Samantha Shields (Orlando, Fla.) recorded a collegiate-best time of 1:00.40 in the 400-meter dash, while senior Kristen Zieminski (Sarasota, Fla.) was fifth in the 800-meter run in a time of 2:17.33.
"Our performances at the North Carolina were on par with what we are looking for heading into the conference meet," Smith Gilbert said.
Select UCF athletes return to action next weekend when they travel to the Dick Taylor Relays in Chapel Hill, N.C., and the Virginia Tech Challenge in Blacksburg, Va.
For the latest news and information on the Knights, tickets or apparel log on to www.ucfathletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. Also check out UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.