March 25, 2011
Read John Denton's Knights Insider | Follow us on Twitter | Get social with the Knights on Facebook
By Pat Salvas
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Sophomore Sonnisha Williams broke her own school record in the long jump by five and a half inches as the Knights' track & field team began the UCF Invitational Friday afternoon at the UCF Track and Field Complex. Williams jumped 20-11.75/6.39m to break the previous school mark of 20-6.25/6.25m that she set last May at the NCAA East Regional.
Friday's new record jump earned Williams first place in the event. The second-place finished posted a mark of 20-1.75/6.14m, ten inches back of Williams.
Jacquelyn Gilchrist was third in the long jump in 19-9.00/6.02m, less than an inch off her personal best in the event. Tomika Story also jumped Friday afternoon, finishing 11th with a mark of 18-0.25/5.49m.
"It was a nice start to the weekend with some good opening times and marks," head coach Caryl Smith Gilbert said. "I was very pleased with Sonnisha for breaking the school record and with the performances of Jacquelyn (Gilchrist) and Tomika (Story) in the long jump.
"It was a good first day and we should see some exciting and fast races tomorrow," Smith Gilbert added.
In the pole vault, freshman London Enos finished tied for fifth as she matched her personal-best height of 11-5.75/3.50m for the second week in a row. Sophomore Erica Weiss was tied for eighth with a height of 10-11.75/3.35m.
In the 3,000-meter steeplechase, Mason Gardberg was the lone UCF entrant. Gardberg crossed the line in 12:42.46; good for fourth place.
Freshmen Satrina Oliveira and Destinee Romain both were entered into the hammer throw. Oliveira's throw of 120-10/36.82m was good for 21st place. Romain competed, but did not register a score.
"Two freshmen coming in having never thrown the hammer before is really difficult," assistant coach Jeff Chakouian said. "We wanted to treat this as a training session and let them have some fun with it as we continue to work on getting better. We are looking forward to getting out there tomorrow with the discus after a good week of training."
The meet featured teams from Florida, Miami, FAU, FIU, Tennessee and Rhode Island among others in a non-scoring format.
The UCF Invitational continues Saturday morning and into the afternoon. The day is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. with women's discus with running events slated for a noon start.
UCF Invitational
UCF Track and Field Complex - Orlando, Fla.
Day 1 - March 25, 2011
Pole Vault
t5. London Enos, 11-5.75/3.50m!
t8. Erica Weiss, 10-11.75/3.35m
Hammer Throw
21. Satrina Oliveira, 120-10/36.82m
Long Jump
1. Sonnisha Williams, 20-11.75/6.39m (-0.2)!^
3. Jacquelyn Gilchrist, 19-9.00/6.02m (-0.4)
11. Tomika Story, 18-0.25/5.49m (+1.5)
3,000-Meter Steeplechase
4. Mason Gardberg, 12:42.46