BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (UCFKnights.com) – The UCF track and field team is off to a strong start at the 2017 American Athletic Conference Indoor Championship. The Knights set meet and school records on the opening day at the Birmingham Crossplex.
Redshirt senior Anne-Marie Blaney highlighted the day, setting a meet record as she won her third consecutive 5000-meter title. The Ocala, Fla., native broke her previous meet record with a time of 16:07.85, becoming UCF's first champion of the weekend.
Senior Chelsea Gobourne turned in a career-best mark of 67-5.5/20.56m to set a school record and capture second place in the weight throw. She was joined by three of her teammates in the top 10 to add 20 points to UCF's team score.
Senior Tayla Greene finished fourth with a throw of 63-7/19.38m. Redshirt sophomores Jhane' Carter (62-8.5/19.11m) and Gabby Durant (60-5.25/18.42m) used personal bests to finish fifth and sixth, respectively.
The Knights will be represented in six event finals on Saturday. Senior J'Nea Bellamy turned in the fastest time in the 60-meter dash, crossing the line in 7.37. Sophomore Alissa Williams posted the second-fastest time and a personal best at 7.40. Senior SheKara Martin used a career-best time of 7.50 to join Bellamy and Williams in the finals.
The trio will also represent UCF in the 200-meter dash finals. Martin finished second in the prelims with a personal-best time of 23.99. Williams also set a career-best with a time of 24.09. Belllamy posted the fourth-fastest time in the prelims at 24.08.
Johna' Whitaker turned in the top time of the day and a personal best in the 60-meter hurdles. She will advance to Saturday's finals after posting a mark of 8.38 in the prelims.
Junior Rosie Chamberlain advances to Saturday's finals in two events, the 400-meter dash and the 800-meter run. Chamberlain posted the fastest time of the day in the 800 at 2:10.72 and used a personal best time of 55.37 to advance in the 400.
Anne-Marie Blaney qualified for Saturday's finals in the mile run. She posted the second-fastest time in the event at 5:00.63.
Through six events scored, the Knights are in second in the team standings with 33 points. Cincinnati leads the 11-team pack with 48 points. Connecticut is third with 27 points.
Advancing To Saturday
60 Meter Dash
1. J'Nea Bellamy 7.37q
2. Alissa Williams 7.40q
7. SheKara Martin 7.50q
200 Meter Dash
2. SheKara Martin 23.99q
4. J'Nea Bellamy 24.08q
5. Alissa Williams 24.09q
400 Meter Dash
4. Rosie Chamberlain 55.37q
800 Meter Run
1. Rosie Chamberlain 2:10.72q
Mile Run
2. Anne-Marie Blaney 5:00.63q
60 Meter Hurdles
1. Johna' Whitaker 8.38q
Friday Finishes
5000 Meter Run
1. Anne-Marie Blaney 16:07.85M
Weight Throw
2. Chelsea Gobourne 67-5.5/20.56m
4. Tayla Greene 63-7/19.38m
5. Jhane' Carter 62-8.5/19.11m
6. Gabby Durant 60-5.25/18.42m
Distance Medley Relay
6. UCF 11:56.76
Pole Vault
16. Anna Chamness 11-6.5/3.52m
Pentathlon
12. Kayla Pritchett 3,134 points
