Jan. 24, 2010
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (UCFAthletics.com) - Led by two NCAA provisional qualifying marks from its 60-meter hurdlers and five second-place finishes, the UCF track and field team had a strong performance Saturday at the Carle/Health Alliance Classic, hosted by Illinois.
For UCF, the emphasis of the meet was not on the team score, but the Knights fared well against some stiff competition. The host Fighting Illini, ranked 19th nationally, won the event with 154 points while Miami (Fla.) finished second with 100. The Knights took third with 86 points on the strength of five second-place finishes which earned UCF eight points each.
"As a whole we had some performers that did a great job of completing and learning how to handle the pressure of competition," said head coach Caryl Smith Gilbert. "The meet was very well run by the University of Illinois and we appreciate the opportunity to come here and compete with these teams. I am excited about a lot of the performances. We had some breakthroughs in certain events, but we also had some disappointments. We will go back and get ready for Kentucky next weekend."
For the second-straight week, two Knights set NCAA provisional qualifying marks in the 60-meter hurdles. Sophomore Jackie Coward (Knoxville, Tenn.) improved on her time from a week ago, finishing second in the finals of the event with a time of 8.27. Junior Micaela Wimberly (Miami, Fla.) had the field's best time in the prelims with a personal-best 8.29, also an NCAA provisional qualifier.
Senior LaKendra Thames (Winter Garden, Fla.) had another solid weekend, finishing second in the shot put with a top throw of 14.03m/46-0.50. She also set a personal best in the weight throw, claiming fourth at 16.57m/54-4.50.
Sophomore Sheila Paul (Lauderdale Lakes, Fla.), in her first event of the season, had the top time in the prelims with a time of 7.52. She then took second place in the finals, crossing the line in 7.55.
In the jumps, Jacquelyn Gilchrist (Tallahassee, Fla.) and Tomika Story (Orange Park, Fla.) set personal bests while finishing second in the long jump and triple jump, respectively. Gilchrist, a sophomore, bettered her personal best with a top mark of 5.74m/18-10.0. Story, who had previously set a personal best in the triple jump a season ago, bested that with a jump of 12.11m/39-8.25.
Other personal bests were set for the Knights by: Story (Long Jump, 5.63m/18-5.75), Wimberly (200m, 25.11), Ashley Bolling (60m hurdles, 8.81) and Tiki James (60m, 7.61).
UCF returns to Lexington, Ky., for the second time this season next weekend, competing in the Rod McGravy Invitational hosted by Kentucky on Jan. 29-30.
For the latest news on the Knights, log on to UCFAthletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. The site, which also contains ticket and Golden Knights Club donor information, is also the home of UCF's new online apparel store. Also visit UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.
Carle/Health Alliance Classic - Jan. 23, 2010
(Times converted for 200-meter flat track)
Weight Throw
4. LaKendra Thames, 16.57m/54-4.50 (PR) (5 points earned)
Shot Put
2. LaKendra Thames, 14.03m/46-0.5 (8)
10. Samantha Shields, 11.64m/38-2.25
Long Jump
2. Jacqueline Gilchrist, 5.74m/18-10.0 (PR) (8)
3. Sonnisha Williams, 5.73m/18-9.75 (6)
5. Tomika Story, 5.63m/18-5.75 (PR) (4)
21. Samantha Shields, 4.90m/16-1.0
Triple Jump
2. Tomika Story, 12.11m/39-8.25 (PR) (8)
High Jump
4. Samantha Shields, 1.60m/5-3.0 (5)
60-meter hurdles (prelims)
1. Micaela Wimberly, 8.29 (PR) (P)
2. Jackie Coward, 8.31 (P)
7. Ashley Bolling, 8.81 (PR)
60-meter hurdles (finals)
2. Jackie Coward, 8.27 (P) (8)
7. Micaela Wimberly, 8.79 (2)
8. Ashley Bolling, 8.93 (1)
60-meter dash (prelims)
1. Sheila Paul, 7.52
9. Tiki James, 7.65
18. Amanda Leland, 7.83
27. Sonnisha Williams, 7.96
28. Tomika Story, 7.98
60-meter dash (finals)
2. Sheila Paul, 7.55 (8)
5. Tiki James, 7.61 (PR) (4)
200-meter dash
6. Sheila Paul, 24.67 (3)
8. Micaela Wimberly, 24.81 (PR) (1)
15. Tiki James, 25.28
20. Sonnisha Williams, 25.56
22. Amanda Leland, 25.71
28. Samantha Shields, 26.43
400-meter dash
6. Champelle Brown, 58.04 (3)
11. Dan'Elle Bellamy, 1:00.88
600-meter run
5. Carley Dart, 1:37.65 (4)
800-meter run
7. Kathia Skinner, 2:24.17 (2)
4x400-meter relay
3. UCF `A' (Coward, Paul, Wimberly, Williams), 3:51.72 (6)
8. UCF `B' (Bellamy, Leland, Skinner, Dart), 4:01.66
Key
P = NCAA Provisional Qualifier
PR = Personal Record