April 2, 2010
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - The middle distance and distance runners set the tone for the UCF track and field team Friday as the Knights opened competition at the Florida Relays hosted by Florida at the James G. Pressly Stadium in Gainesville.
Four different Knights in the mid-distance and distance group easily set personal records in their respective events, something that was noted by head coach Caryl Smith Gilbert.
"I was impressed with Jamie Rzepecki, Carley Dart, Ocean Cohen and Erica Weitz," said Smith Gilbert. "They ran some great times and coach Sanders has done an excellent job developing speed with each of the long and middle distance runners this season. Most of them have had personal bests this season and the group is becoming a major force on our team."
Dart was the first to impress on Friday, topping her personal best in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:09.83, her first sub-2:10 time of her career in the event. She has now set personal bests in both the 800- and 1500-meter runs in 2010.
Rzepecki, a senior, followed suit in the 3,000-meter steeple, besting her personal best from a season ago with a time of 11:02.66.
In the final event of the day, the 5,000-meter run, Weitz and Cohen each ran sub-18:00 times for the first time. Weitz took 13 seconds off her best time and finished in 17:52.96. Cohen crossed the line in 17:57.14, nearly 23 seconds better than her previous personal best.
Numerous Knights had season-best efforts on Friday in Gainesville. Sophomore Jackie Coward (13.49) and junior Micaela Wimberly (13.95) each did so in the 100-meter hurdles while sophomore Jacquelyn Gilchrist (5.81) and Sheila Paul (11.62) had season-bests in the long jump and 100-meter dash respectively.
"We had a pretty good day today. Many people had performances that are ahead of where they were this time last year," Smith Gilbert added. "We are looking forward to running relays tomorrow and having some fun."
A host of relays are on board for Saturday's action, and the Knights will begin competition with the sprint medley relay at 12 p.m.
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2010 Florida Relays
Gainesville, Fla. - April 2, 2010
Discus
16. Jessica Francis, 42.96m
--. LaKendra Thames, FOUL
Long Jump
11. Jacquelyn Gilchrist, 5.81 (+2.2) (SB)
Hammer Throw
18. LaKendra Thames, 46.03m
100mH
11. Jackie Coward, 13.49 (+0.5) (SB)
17. Micaela Wimberly, 13.95 (+0.4) (SB)
400mH
30. Aisha-Maree Frazier, 1:03.23
100m
13. Sheila Paul, 11.62 (+2.3) (SB)
800m
6. Carley Dart, 2:09.83 (PR)
1500m
41. Alyssa Franks, 5:17.74
3000m Steeple
13. Jamie Rzepecki, 11:02.66 (PR)
5000m
21. Erica Weitz, 17:52.96 (PR)
22. Oceah Cohen, 17:57.14 (PR)
Key
PR - Personal record
SB - Season best