COLUMBIA, S.C. (UCFKnights.com) – Continuing the trend, the UCF track and field team collected four top honors and advanced to the finals of the 60-meter dash at the Carolina Challenge at the South Carolina Indoor Track and Field Complex.
"We had a few (personal records) today," UCF head coach Dana Boone said. "The distance crew ran well today. Across the board we are still ironing things out, but it was a solid day for us. We will get some rest and get back to work tomorrow."
The Black and Gold start the day with back-to-back personal-best performances in the qualifying rounds of the 60-meter dash and the 60-meter hurdles. Competing in the 60m for the first time this season, Ciara Holback finished first in the qualifiers with a time of 7.47. Jayda Drake-Howard improved her hurdles mark, taking the top spot in the qualifiers in 8.74.
Briana Potter took the top honors in the triple jump, landing at 38-3.25/11.66m. Soteria Russell won the open shot put with a distance of 43-8.5/13.32m.
Three Knights advanced to Saturday’s 60m finals. Holback will be joined by Shaniya Williams, who won her heat in 7.57, and Shian Hyde who crossed the line in 7.48.
For the third meet in a row, Victoria Jung posted a personal best. After bettering her 3000-meter run mark in the season opener, Jung knocked 14 seconds off on Friday to take second place in 10:03.18. Charlotte Crook made the most of her collegiate debut in the mile, finishing in 5:03.43 to take seventh place.
The Knights continue action at the Carolina Challenge on Saturday.
Friday Results
60m Qualifier
1. Ciara Holback 7.47
60m Hurdles Qualifier
1. Jayda Drake-Howard 8.74
Mile
7. Charlotte Crook 5:03.43
14. Kaitlyn Soltis 5:11. 18
3000M
2. Victoria Jung 10:03.18
60m Prelim
4. Shaniya Williams 7.57Q
6. Ciara Holback 7.47q
7. Shian Hyde 7.48q
11. Imani Clark 7.52
60m Hurdles Prelim
12. Zharia Moore 8.55
18. Jayda Drake-Howard 8.74
Open Weight Throw
6. Soteria Russell 49=7.25/15.12m
Long Jump
7. Devin D’Oliveira 17-11/5.46m
17. Daneesha Davidson 17-1.5/5.22m
Open Shot Put
1. Soteria Russell 43-8.5/13.32m
Triple Jump
1. Briana Potter 38-3.25/11.66m
Pole Vault
T4. Madison Bryan 10-6/3.20m