ORLANDO – A trio of UCF records fell during Saturday action at the Black and Gold Invitational at the UCF Track Complex. Valerie Lastra set the UCF record in the 3000-meter run while Asherah Collins and Rayniah Jones set the triple jump and 100-meter hurdle freshmen records, respectively.
"I think we had a pretty good start to the outdoor season," UCF head coach Dana Boone said. "There were lots of highlights today, but there were also a lot of areas we need to work on. I was pleased overall with the effort and just happy to just be back out here and competing for the outdoor season."
Lastra, who entered the meet with three freshman records to her name already in 2021, shattered the 3000-meter record. The Miami native finished second overall in 10:00.58, lowering previous record of 10:08.93 set by Kalleigh Forrester in 2017.
Jones picked up the title and freshman record in the 100-meter hurdles. The Miami native crossed the line in 13.36, improving the previous mark of 13.50 set by Johna' Whitaker in 2015. Jones added the 200-meter dash title to her resume in her first outdoor meet in 23.98. Both of her marks are among the top 10 in the country, with her hurdles mark ranking third and her 200 time ranking ninth.
Collins would have added her name to the record books with her first attempt in the triple jump, but she secured the record with her final attempt of the day. The rookie landed at 42-9.75/13.05m to finish second overall.
Collins' mark ranks third in the country in the triple jump. Teammate Kiara Lee, whose fourth-place mark of 42-0.5/12.81m would have also set the UCF freshman record, ranks seventh in the event nationally.
The Knights picked up three additional event titles on Saturday.
Danielle Bess won the 400-meter dash in 55.97 in her outdoor debut. Katie Pinnell won the 800-meter run, crossing the line in 2:10.53, which is the sixth-fastest time in the country.
The Knights also took the title in the 4x100 relay. The squad of Rayniah Jones, Ciara Holback, Beyonce Defreitas and Danielle Bess finished in 45.54, which is the fourth-best time in the nation this season.
The Knights return to action on April 3, traveling to Tampa for the USF Invitational.
UCF Results
100H
1. Rayniah Jones 13.36
2. Alexis Woodley 14.00
6. Alicia Coleman 14.43
11. Kennedie Reese 15.07
13. Holly Cassels 15.50
Triple Jump
2. Asherah Collins 42-9.75/13.05m
4. Kiara Lee 42-0.5/12.81m
3000m
2. Valerie Lastra 10:00.58
4. Alexandra Del Re 10:25.51
200m
1. Rayniah Jones 23.98
3. Ciara Holback 24.40
4. Latasha Smith 24.47
8. Beyonce Defreitas 24.69
9. Kai'lyn Kirkland 24.72
14. Samieryah Bradwell 25.04
24. Alexis Woodley 25.55
400m
1. Danielle Bess 55.97
800m
1. Katie Pinnell 2:10.53
6. Kaitlyn Soltis 2:17.86
7. Cydni Turner 2:17.98
10. Mariana Rodriguez 2:19.74
12. Mackenzie Czurak 2:19.74
4x1 Relay
1. Rayniah Jones, Ciara Holback, Beyonce Defreitas, Danielle Bess 45.54
4x4 Relay
2. Danielle Bess, Kai'lyn Kirkland, Samieryah Bradwell, Latasha Smith 3:51.82
7. Katie Pinnell, Mariana Rodriguez, Kaitlyn Soltis, Cydni Turner 4:03.51
100m
2. Ciara Holback 11.84
6. Samieryah Bradwell 11.99
7. Beyonce Defreitas 12.06
8. Kai'lyn Kirkland 12.07
9. Leiya Green 12.09
12. Latasha Smith 12.12
Discus
2. Jacquelyn Wagner 132-8/40.45m
7. Nichole Whitaker 125-11/38.38m
Hammer Throw
4. Chloe Hill 160-2/48.83m
Shot Put
9. Holly Cassels 33-6.5/10.22m
11. Kennedie Reese 31-0/9.45m
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