WICHITA, Kan. (UCFKnights.com) – The UCF track and field team collected seven points and advanced a trio to the finals the opening day of the American Athletic Conference Outdoor Championship at Cessna Stadium.
The Knights wasted no time collecting their first points of the weekend, as Gabby Durant and Jhane’ Carter used fourth and seventh place finishes, respectively, in the hammer throw to pick up seven points. The duo gave UCF a pair of scorers in the event for the third time in the last four years.
Just making the cut to move on to the finals, Gabby Durant save her best for last, using a season-best 199-11/60.94m throw to post her best hammer throw finish at The American outdoor championship.
Jhane’ Carter held nothing back in her final conference hammer throw meet. Her third attempt of the afternoon landed at 192-7/58.71m, setting a new personal best that carried her to a seventh-place finish.
On the track, a trio of Knights qualified for Sunday’s finals for the first time in their collegiate careers. Charlotte Crook started it off in the 800-meter run, posting the fifth-fastest time at 2:12.20 to move on to Sunday.
In the 200-meter dash, Ciara Holback won her heat to qualify for Sunday’s final using the fourth-best mark of the day at 23.80.
Lining up at her first outdoor conference meet, Devin D’Oliveira cruised to a win with the fastest 400-meter hurdle time of the day at 59.98. The only competitor to finish in under a minute, D’Oliveira advanced to Sunday’s final.
UCF will continue action in Wichita on Saturday, starting with the long jump at 4 p.m. ET.
UCF Results
Hammer Throw
4. Gabby Durant 199-11/60.94m
7. Jhane’ Carter 192-7/58.71m
15. Shanell Atkins 166-2/50.66m
18. Soteria Russell 149-5/45.54m
800m Prelim
5. Charlotte Crook 2:12.20Q
15. Katie Pinnell 2:16.75
200m Prelim
4. Ciara Holback 23.80Q
13. Imani Clark 24.18
14. Shian Hyde 24.20
15. Shaniya Williams 24.21
16. Loren Gallmon 24.23
20. Beyonce Defreitas 24.45
26. Sarah Wollaston 25.42
400m Hurdle Prelim
1. Devin D’Oliveira 59.98Q
14. Daneesha Davidson 1:02.96