June 4, 2012
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By Jenna Marina
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - UCF track and field head coach Caryl Smith Gilbert was recognized Monday as the USTFCCCA's South Region Coach of the Year. The honor comes on the heels of UCF's third-straight outdoor Conference USA title and her fourth-overall distinction as the C-USA Coach of the Year.
Smith Gilbert earned the regional praise for the third time in the outdoor season (2009, 2011) and the fifth time overall (Indoor 2009, 2011) during her five-year career at UCF.
In her fifth season at the helm of UCF's program, Smith Gilbert guided the Knights to nine gold medals and 18 all-conference honors at the C-USA Outdoor Championships in May. She then led a school-record 14 athletes to the NCAA East Preliminary Round.
UCF boasted a nation-best four entries in both long jump and 100 meters at East Prelims. The Knights will show strong numbers once again at this week's NCAA Outdoor Championships with a nation-best three entries in both the 100 and 200 meters, and they also will compete in the 100 hurdles and long jump.
UCF completed the regular season ranked fourth in the South Region. The Knights begin their quest to top their eighth-place finish at the Indoor Championships when they begin the Outdoor Championships in Des Moines, Iowa, on Wednesday. The four-day meet will air on NCAA.com, ESPN3.com and ESPNU.