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Dione Thomas Named UCF Track and Field Athlete of the Week

April 8, 2008

ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - Junior UCF sprinter/jumper Dione Thomas (Jacksonville, Fla.) has been named the Knights' Athlete of the Week for her strong performances at the Pepsi Florida Relays this past weekend, as decided by the team's coaching staff on Tuesday.

Thomas notched the team's second regional-qualifying mark of the season on Saturday with a personal-best leap of 40-10.50 (12.46m) in the long jump. Also on Saturday, Thomas was a part of the school-record-setting sprint medley relay. Running the second leg, Thomas helped the squad finish in a time of 3:57.55, which shattered the school's previous record of 4:12.40 set during the 1998 campaign.

On Friday, Thomas broke the UCF school record in the 100-meter dash with a personal-best time of 11.83 in the event. That broke the previous school record of 11.94 set last season at the UCF Invitational by Latoya Green.

Thomas has been a part of four school records this season, including two during the outdoor campaign. She also set school records in the long jump and triple jump during indoor season.

Following each week of competition, head coach Caryl Smith Gilbert and her staff will nominate an athlete to be the school's track and field athlete of the week based on the previous weekend's meet. That athlete will then be eligible to be considered for the Conference USA Athlete of the Week award, announced each Tuesday afternoon by the C-USA office in Irving, Texas.

Team Notebook: The UCF track and field team posted an impressive showing at the Pepsi Florida Relays in Gainesville, Fla., last weekend ... The Knights finished the event with eight personal-best marks and times, three school records and two NCAA regional-qualifying scores ... In just two outdoor meets this season, UCF has already matched last season's total (2) of NCAA regional-qualifying marks ... The Knights return to action Saturday, April 12, when they travel to Coral Gables, Fla., to compete in the Miami Elite Invitational.

Recent Results
Competition: Pepsi Florida Relays
Dates: Friday-Saturday April 4-5
City: Gainesville, Fla. (James G. Pressly Stadium at Percy Beard Track)
Placing of Teams/Score: No Team Score

Upcoming Events
Competition: Miami Elite Invitational
Dates: Saturday, April 12, 2008
City: Coral Gables, Fla. (Cobb Track and Field Facility)
Live Stats: www.hurricanesports.com

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.

--UCF Athletics--