Dec. 14, 2011
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By Jenna Marina
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - The UCF track and field team signed a top-10 recruiting class for the 2012 season, according to Track and Field News. The magazine, which has been "The Bible of the Sport" since 1948, ranked the Knights among programs from the SEC, Pac-12, Big 12 and the ACC.
Stanford sits atop the list, followed by Oregon and USC in the No. 2 and No. 3 spots, respectively. Florida (No. 8) and Florida State (No. 9) also grace the list just ahead of UCF.
"It's an honor to be ranked among the top schools in the country. This is what was expected of our program when I was hired, and I look forward to moving the bar even higher," Head Coach Caryl Smith Gilbert said. "This recruiting class should help us reach our goal of achieving a top-five finish at the NCAA Championships."
Of UCF's 11 freshmen, 10 have experience as state qualifiers. Precious Ogunleye (Chicago, Ill.) is a two-time all-state shot putter who emerged as an indoor state champion her junior year and also medaled in the discus her senior year. Christal Peterson (Hampton, Va.) is a state champion in the 200m and a state runner up in the 100m. Freshman Jamie Perzanowski (St. Clairsville, Ohio) medaled at the Ohio State Track and Field championships in the 3200m.
UCF's most touted recruit is Octavious Freeman, who was named to the USA Today's All-USA Track and Field Sprints team as an eight-time state champion. She earned 10 individual gold medals during her four-year career at Lake Wales High School. In her senior year, she held the fastest times in the nation in the 100m and 200m.
In addition to their talented group of freshmen, the Knights also welcomed SEC long jump champion Jen Clayton over the summer. The newcomers are joined by 10 returning 2011 All-Conference USA performers, including eight C-USA champions.
UCF's indoor track and field season begins on Jan. 13-14 at the Virginia Tech Invitational.