Jan. 19, 2013
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By Jenna Marina
UCFAthletics.com
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (UCFAthletics.com) - The No. 11 UCF track and field team delivered another school record, two meet records and a nation's top performance Saturday at the Auburn Invitational at the Birmingham CrossPlex.
For the second-consecutive week, freshman Anne-Marie Blaney eclipsed the school-and- freshman 3000 meters record. She shed nearly 10 seconds off her record-breaking performance last week, this time crossing the line in 9:44.58 for third place and the highest finish in the event by a freshman.
After blitzing to the fastest qualifying time in the 60 meters, sophomore Octavious Freeman tied the meet record in the finals with a first-place showing of 7.19. She crossed the finish line ahead of current NCAA leader Dezerea Bryant of Clemson, matching the nation's best time in the process.
Junior Dominique Booker cranked out another performance among the NCAA's top 10 in the 60m with her third-place time of 7.38.
Junior Aurieyall Scott dashed to a new meet record in the 200 meters (23.23) as five Knights clinched top-10 finishes in the event. Scott won the race with the fourth-best time in the nation. Freeman came in fourth place at 23.60 and Booker took fifth at 23.83, both of which rank among the NCAA's top 15.
The Knights weren't done yet as sophomore Christal Peterson finished seventh with a personal best 24.24 and junior Afia Charles rounded out the group in ninth place at 24.56 in her first-career appearance in the 200m .
"We had solid performances today," UCF head coach Caryl Smith Gilbert said. "We're working on getting ready for conference and nationals by concentrating on execution of the task and not the outcome. That being said, it was nice to see Octavious win the 60m, Aurieyall win the 200m and several personal records today. Now, we're looking forward to Virginia Tech."
Senior Lutisha Bowen surpassed her personal best in the 60 hurdles for the second week in a row. In a competitive field that included three of the nation's top-10 leaders this year as well as NCAA First Team All-American Bridgette Owens, Bowen clinched second place with a time of 8.23 for the fifth-best time in the country.
Junior Jen Clayton matched her best indoor long jump performance as a Knight and earned third-place honors to boot. She breached the NCAA's top 15 with a leap of 6.05m/ 19-10.25.
Competing the in the 400 meters for the first time of her indoor career, Scott sped to a second-place finish of 55.00. Charles followed right behind her teammate in third place at 55.13.
Junior Destinee Romain posted the second-best throw of her indoor career in the weight throw with a fourth-place mark of 17.74m/58-02.50.
The Knights will travel next to the Hokie Invitational in Blacksburg, Va., on Jan. 25-26, and will also compete in the Jimmy Carnes Invitational in Gainesville on Jan. 27. Stay up-to-date on all the latest track and field news by visiting UCFAthletics.com and following the team on Twitter (@UCF_Track) and Facebook.