Jan. 15, 2016
A record-setting performance by UCF's distance medley relay at the Kentucky Invitational starts the Knights' 2016 indoor track & field season off with a bang.
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The quartet of Caroline Pauls, Ashley Jocelyn, Rosie Chamberlain and Anne-Marie Blaney were narrowly edged by host Kentucky for the distance medley relay crown, but the Knights crossed the line with a new school record, clocking in at 11:32.85, just half a second behind the Wildcats.
Pauls led off the Knights with a 1,200-meter leg and controlled the pace for all but the final 50 meters when she was overtaken before handing the baton off in fourth place. Jocelyn, who was ran a 53.1 split in the 400-meter leg, reeled in the pack to get UCF in second place at her exchange with Chamberlain. The sophomore then clocked a 2:08.10 split in the 800-meter leg before handing the baton to Blaney in second place but almost 20 meters behind Kentucky. It took the redshirt junior a handful of laps before closing in on UK's runner in the 1,600-meter leg. Coming to the homestretch, Blaney attempted to make a pass, but Big Blue Nation outnumbered the Knights, cheering and giving the extra motivation to the Wildcat runner for the victory.
The record-setting time topped UCF's previous record of 11:33.29, which was set by Amelia Williams, Kirsten Nieuwendam, Chamberlain and Blaney at the Amory Track Invitational in New York City.
In the only other event on Friday night, redshirt senior Kalen Hambrick set a new personal record in the weight throw, tossing the implement 64-10/19.76m on her final throw to grab fifth place, respectively. All six of Hambrick's throws topped her previous personal-best toss of 62-4.25/19.01m set last season. The Leesburg, Florida, native's mark was less than one foot off school record holder Destinee Romain's hurl of 65-8.25/20.02m.
The Knights resume competition tomorrow at 9 a.m. with high jump. Running events are slated to being at noon with the semifinals of the 60-meter hurdles.