BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (UCFKnights.com) – A strong start on Friday carried over for the UCF track and field team as the Knights captured the 2017 American Athletic Conference Indoor championship on Saturday afternoon at the Birmingham Crossplex.
Redshirt senior Anne-Marie Blaney was named the Most Outstanding Track Performer of the meet. The Ocala, Fla., native earned 26 points for UCF's team score, winning the 5000-meter run and placing second in both the mile and 3000-meter run.
The Knights, who collected their first league indoor crown since the 2013 Conference USA title, also added three points to UCF's total in the War on I4 rivalry series.
Trailing Cincinnati by 15 points heading into Saturday's competition, the Knights started strong with a second place finish from freshman Natosha Jordan in the high jump. The Augusta, Ga., native cleared her personal best at 5-7/1.70m. Blaney closed the gap a little more by placing second in the mile, while junior Rosie Chamberlain added more points with a fifth place finish in the 400 meter dash.
After redshirt junior Johna' Whitaker raced to the title in the 60-meter hurdles, senior J'Nea Bellamy defended her 60-meter dash title to add 20 points to UCF's score.
Chamberlain defended her 800-meter title to push the Knights in front. Sophomore Alissa Williams ran a career-best 23.85 to finish third in the 200-meter dash, followed by a second place finish from Blaney in the 3000-meter run.
Heading into the final event with a six point lead over Cincinnati, the Knights clinched a two-point victory to capture the title as the 4x400 meter relay team turned in its fastest mark of the season for third place.
Final Team Points
1. UCF 122
2. Cincinnati 120
3. Houston 99
4. Connecticut 92
5. Tulane 52
6. SMU 44
7. Memphis 43
8. East Carolina 38
9. Tulsa 20
10. Temple 17
11. South Florida 15
Podium Finishes
60 Meter Dash
1. J'Nea Bellamy 7.37
3. Alissa Williams 7.46
200 Meter Dash
3. Alissa Williams 23.85
800 Meter Run
1. Rosie Chamberlain 2:08.69
Mile Run
2. Anne-Marie Blaney 4:50.06
3000 Meter Run
2. Anne-Marie Blaney 9:23.80
60 Meter Hurdles
1. Johna' Whitaker 8.44
4x400 Meter Relay
3. UCF 3:40.93
5000 Meter Run
1. Anne-Marie Blaney 16:07.85M
Weight Throw
2. Chelsea Gobourne 67-5.5/20.56m
High Jump
2. Natosha Jordan 5-7/1.70