ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – The UCF track and field team heads to Houston for the 2017 American Athletic Conference Outdoor Championships at the Carl Lewis International Complex.
Action for the three-day meet begins Friday with four heptathlon events. The finals for the hammer throw and 10,000-meter run will also be held Friday, along with the trials for the 200-meter run, 800-meter run and 400-meter hurdles.
The American Digital Network will provide live coverage for the duration of the championships. The championship central features links to the live stats, full schedule, directions and facility information.
UCF, who edged Cincinnati by two points to capture the indoor title on Feb. 25, finished as the runner-up behind the Bearcats at the 2016 outdoor league championship.
Named the Most Outstanding Track performer at the indoor championships, Anne-Marie Blaney enters the outdoor championship holding the fastest time in three events. The Ocala, Fla., native has turned in school-record marks in the 1500-meter (4:21.64), 5,000-meter (15:43.61) and 10,000-meter (33:18.81) events this season. She currently ranks fifth in the nation in the 10,000-meter run and seventh in the 5,000-meter run.
Rosie Chamberlain, the defending 800-meter champion, enters the meet with the top time in the event. She set the UCF record with a mark of 2:04.19.
UCF piled on the points in the weight throw at the indoor championships, and could do the same in the hammer throw this weekend. The Knights enter the outdoor meet ranked third nationally in the event. Chelsea Gobourne leads the way, ranked second among conference competitors. Her best throw of the season landed at a school-record 198-1/60.37m. Tayla Greene (191-3/58.30m), Gabby Durant (189-9/57.85m) and Jhane' Carter (180-2/54.92m) all rank among the top 11 in the league.
The Knights also own the top time in the conference in the 4x400m relay.
The Black and Gold also look to add three more points to the UCF total in the War on I4 rivalry series. The Knights clinched the first overall title on April 18 with a women's golf league title, and currently lead USF 46-32.
Action begins at 12:30 CT/1:30 ET on Friday.
