June 8, 2011
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By Pat Salvas
UCFAthletics.com
DES MOINES, Iowa. (UCFAthletics.com) - The first day of the 2011 NCAA Championships at Drake Stadium was a memorable one for the UCF outdoor track & field team. Freshman Aurieyall Scott in the 100 meters and the Knights' 4x100-meter relay team both qualified for final heats with solid performances Wednesday afternoon.
"I am very pleased with the way we competed tonight. To have run qualifying times and earn the honor of being All-Americans is a true testament to how these young women really believe in the ideals of this program," head coach Caryl Smith Gilbert said. "The 4x100 ran well, as did Aurieyall (Scott) and Sheila (Paul) and I am looking forward to the finals of each event, but we also have to continue to focus on what we have to do tomorrow and the rest of this week."
The Knights' 4x100-meter relay team got the day started with the fourth-fastest qualifying time, posting a 43.52 and winning their heat. Jackie Coward, Aurieyall Scott, Lynne Layne and Sheila Paul combined to post the mark that automatically qualifies UCF for Saturday's final heat.
Saturday's race will feature LSU, Texas A&M, Houston, the Knights, Clemson, USC, Florida State and Texas. In advancing to the final heat (1:03 p.m.), UCF ran its second-fastest time of the year. The only time the Black and Gold ran a faster time in this event was when it claimed the Conference USA Championship at Rice in mid-May with a 43.42.
Scott wasn't done with just one spot in a final heat, as she also advanced in the 100 meters. The Knights' freshman sprinter just barely edged TCU's Jessica Young to win her heat and automatically move on to the finals on Friday evening (7:55 p.m.). Scott ran an 11.30 to qualify with the third-fastest time in the event, while Young qualified in 11.31.
Paul also ran in the 100 meters, but failed to advance to Friday's final as she ran an 11.56. That was time was good for 16th overall and earns Paul All-America Second Team honors.
Despite qualifying in the 100, freshman Dominique Booker was unable to run as she was scratched due to injury. She was also replaced in the 4x100 by Coward.
Thursday will see the Knights compete in three more semifinal heats. The second day of competition will begin at 6:30 p.m. with Scott looking for a third qualifying mark when she runs in the 200 meters. Coward will represent UCF in the semis of the 100-meter hurdles at 7:50 p.m., before the 4x400-meter relay team takes to the track at 9 p.m.
Schedule of Events - UCF (all times Eastern)
Thursday
Semifinals - 200 Meters - 6:30 p.m.
Semifinals - 100-Meter Hurdles - 7:50 p.m.
Semifinals - 4x400-Meter Relay - 9 p.m.
Friday
Finals - 100 Meters - 7:55 p.m.
Saturday
Finals - 4x100-Meter Relay - 1:03 p.m.
Finals - 200 Meters - 1:41 p.m.
Finals - 100-Meter Hurdles - 2:09 p.m.
Finals - 4x400-Meter Relay - 2:40 p.m.
UCF RESULTS
NCAA Championships - June 8, 2011
Drake Stadium - Des Moines, Iowa
100 Meters
3. Aurieyall Scott, 11.30 (-0.3) Q
16. Sheila Paul, 11.56 (-0.4)
4x100-Meter Relay
4. UCF 'A' 43.52
(Coward, Scott, Layne, Paul)