March 28, 2009
ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - Freshman Sheila Paul (Lauderdale Lakes, Fla.) posted NCAA regional qualifying marks in both the 100- and 200-meter dash as the UCF track and field team completed action with a strong day two of the UCF Invitational Saturday at the UCF Track and Field Complex. Junior Kelsey Poljansek (Milton, Kan.) was also impressive, shattering the school record in the discus.
The event was the second of three UCF will host during the outdoor season. The Knights hosted the Black & Gold Challenge on March 21 and will also be in action at home on May 10 with the UCF Twilight.
"It was a good meet with a lot of teams from all over the region and country and we got to compete in really nice weather which led to numerous regional qualifying times and marks and personal bests," said head coach Caryl Smith Gilbert.
Paul highlighted a successful day of events which saw the Knights win four events, post three regional qualifying marks and break two school and one freshman record. In the 100-meter dash, Paul finished in fourth place with an 11.74. Her time tied the former school record, set by current UCF senior Dione Thomas (Jacksonville, Fla.) and shattered the previous freshman record of 12.06 seconds.
In the 200-meter dash, Paul qualified for regionals with a time of 23.95. Her time would have also set school and freshman records if not for being wind-aided by 3.3 meters per second.
"Sheila Paul did a fantastic job today in setting two NCAA regional qualifying marks," said Smith Gilbert. "Facing tough competition she ran hard and aggressively and it paid off with impressive results. To perform like this as a freshman says a lot of her and with hard work she will continue to improve."
Poljansek convincingly bested the previous school record in the discus with a toss of 167-11/51.18m. The mark is also an NCAA regional qualifying mark. Current UCF junior LaKendra Thames held the record with a throw of 160-3.
"Kelsey did a wonderful job all weekend. She has been very consistent and it was just a matter of time for her to break this record," said Smith Gilbert. "We look for good things from her the rest of the season."
While Paul and Poljansek had impressive days in securing their status for NCAA regionals, three other Knights were superior to their competition in claiming first place in their respective events. In the high jump, sophomore Lizzie Harris (Miami, Fla.) won the event with a best mark of 5-7.0/1.70m.
In the triple jump, Thomas took first place with a top mark of 41-2.25/12.55 (+6.9). Fellow senior Shantile Blackburn (Brooklyn, N.Y.) rounded out the UCF winners on the afternoon, taking first in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:11.94.
In the 100-meter hurdles, sophomore Micaela Wimberly (Miami, Fla.) just missed posting an NCAA regional qualifying mark, finishing fifth in 13.93 seconds. The time was just one one-hundredth of a second off a regional qualifying mark.
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UCF Invitational
March 28, 2008
Day Two
High Jump
1. Lizzie Harris, 5-7.0/1.70m
6. Samantha Shields, 5-1.0/1.55m
Triple Jump
1. Dione Thomas, 41-2.25/12.55 (+6.9)
5. Micaela Wimberly, 37-0.25/11.28m (+1.7)
100m
4. Sheila Paul (+1.0), 11.74 (N, t-SR, FR)
8. Dione Thomas (+3.8), 11.85
12. Tiki James (+2.9), 11.98
100mH
5. Micaela Wimberly (+3.0), 13.93
11. Ashley Bolling (+3.0), 14.32
200m
5. Sheila Paul, 23.95 (+3.3) (N)
18. Micaela Wimberly, (+4.5) 24.91
23. Tiki James, 25.16 (+4.6)
32. Samantha Shields, 25.84 (+2.6)
33. Ashley Bolling, 25.86 (+2.6)
400m
15. Dan'Elle Bellamy, 59.78
18. Shantile Blackburn, 1:02.50
400mH
3. Aisha-Maree Frazier, 1:01.46
5. Lizzie Harris, 1:03.51
8. Natalie Braddock, 1:04.79
9. Jacquelyn Gilchrist, 1:05.48
10. Olinka Crusoe, 1:06.40
14. Shenevia Patterson, 1:07.87
17. Michelle Ranc, 1:09.22
800m
1. Shantile Blackburn, 2:11.94
11. Kathia Skinner, 2:21.60
12. Carley Dart, 2:21.88
20. Katrina Skinner, 2:30.62
1500m
13. Katrina Skinner, 5:01.16
17. Kathia Skinner, 5:04.07
20. Carley Dart, 5:06.72
5000m
2. Erica Weitz, 19:00.29
3. Jamie Rzepecki, 19:27.54
4x100-meter relay
4. UCF `A' (James, Harris, Thomas, Paul), 45.95
Discus
1. Kelsey Poljansek, 167-11/51.18m (N, SR)
3. Jessica Francis, 148-07/45.28m
7. April Downey, 133-01/40.57m
Hammer Throw
3. Jessica Francis, 150-9/45.96m
4. Ashley Kirkpatrick, 150-7/45.91m
6. April Downey, 147-10/45.05m
7. LaKendra Thames, 147-5/44.94m
Pole Vault
T2. Brittney McDermott, 10-6/3.20m