March 21, 2015
UCF Athletics Social Media Directory
By Jenna Marina
UCFKnights.com
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ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - Four nation-leading performances highlighted the UCF track and field team's outdoor season opener on its home track Saturday at the Black and Gold Challenge.
The Knights defeated the seven other scoring teams to win the event. UCF totaled 171 points to take first, while Florida A&M placed second (103) and Connecticut took third (94).
UCF's 4x100 meter relay (Briana Vaughn, Terika Henry, J'Nea Bellamy, Kirsten Nieuwendam) jetted to a time of 44.46 seconds, which topped USC for the NCAA's top performance so far on the young season.
Rosie Chamberlain set a new UCF freshman 800 meter record and became the nation's leader with her first-place performance of 2:09.42. In fact, UCF swept the top finishes of the 800 with a personal-record outing from Amelia Williams (2:10.03) in second place and senior Ne'Ausha Logan's third place showing of 2:10.15.
Nieuwendam also shined in the 100 and 200 meters, taking first place in both events with her best performances since 2012. After clocking 11.71 seconds (-0.5) in the 100, she put up the country's best time in the 200 at 23.77 (-0.1) for another victory.
In addition to her participation in the 4x100 relay, Henry picked up a pair of top-three finishes on the day. She claimed second place in the 100 at 11.92 seconds and third place in the 200 (24.14).
Anne-Marie Blaney, running unattached, bested her personal record in the 1500 meters for second place, clocking in at 4:28.32. Freshman Laura Korsmit emerged as the Knights' top finisher in the event in fourth place with a time of 4:44.25.
The Knights went 1-2 in the 100 meter hurdles with Johna' Whitaker leading the way in 13.88 seconds. That time currently ranks in this year's collegiate top 10. Sophomore Lia King placed second in 14.26 seconds, matching her personal best despite a headwind (-1.1).
Making her first collegiate appearance in the 200 meter dash, Ashley Jocelyn finished as the runner-up when she crossed the finish line in 23.83 seconds (-0.2).
Redshirt junior Kalen Hambrick won the hammer throw with the best season-opening performance of her career. She registered 54.75 meters on her last attempt of the finals.
Rookie Jenna Lucas had a strong opening in the javelin with a third-place finish of 43.37 meters, ranking third among freshman in the nation this season and breaking the UCF record. The previous best mark by a Knight was 41.01 meters set by Siaina Campbell on April 19, 2014.
Devinn Cartwright hit a personal record in the shot put with her toss of 10.43 meters.
Former UCF All-American and school record holder Sonnisha Williams won the long jump with a leap of 6.30 meters. Cartwright was the Knights' top finisher in the event in third place with a mark of 5.46 meters.
UCF's 4x400 meter relay team of Sandy Jean, Nieuwendam, Henry and Jocelyn closed out the day with an NCAA top time of 3:40.62 to deliver yet another first-place showing.
The Knights stay put next week for the UCF Invitational on March 27 and 28. It will mark the second of three home meets this season.