CLEMSON, S.C. – The UCF track and field team closed out the Tiger Paw Invitational on a high note, with a freshman record, season-best relay showing and personal bests in nearly every event.
"This was a great weekend for this team," UCF head coach Dana Boone said. "It was a total team effort. This was our last competition before conference, and we accomplished our goal. Each week I asked them to get a little bit better and they have done that. Now we will take the next two weeks and prepare for conference."
Asherah Collins advanced to the triple jump final on a personal best and UCF freshman record 42-6.75/12.97m. She finished eighth overall in the event.
Four Knights competed in the 200-meter dash on Saturday, and all four crossed the finish line with a new personal best in the event. Rayniah Jones and Danielle Bess led the way, with Jones finishing in 23.80 and Bess in 23.85. Beyonce Defreitas kept the streak going, finishing in 23.96, and I'Asia Wilson closed it out with a 24.47 showing.
Katie Pinnell cruised to a top 10 finish in the 800-meter run with a personal best 2:09.09 for eighth. She was joined in the top 10 by Charlotte Crook (2:09.69). Mariana Rodriguez (2:14.39) and Cydni Turner (2:14.41) both improved their times in the 800 to join Pinnell and Crook in the top 20.
Both Knights turned in personal best performances in the high jump. Natalia Madison and Kaliah Jones both cleared 5-5.75/1.67m to finish in the top 20.
UCF's 4x4 relay of Latasha Smith, Danielle Bess, Kiah Williams and Samieryah Bradwell closed out the weekend with a season-best 3:36.61 for fifth place.
UCF will now have a break from action before heading to Birmingham, Alabama, for the 2022 American Athletic Conference Indoor Championship Feb. 25-26.
UCF Results
High Jump
18. Natalia Madison 5-5.75/1.67m
19. Kaliah Jones 5-5.75/1.67m
800m
8. Katie Pinnell 2:09.09
10. Charlotte Crook 2:09.69
16. Mariana Rodriguez 2:14.39
17. Cydni Turner 2:14.41
25. Jadae Barrett 2:15.87
200m
18. Rayniah Jones 23.80
21. Danielle Bess 23.85
24. Beyonce Defreitas 23.96
45. I'Asia Wilson 24.47
3000m
6. Valerie Lastra 10:12.93
11. Camryn Williams 10:31.05
Triple Jump
8. Asherah Collins 42-6.75/12.97m
15. Jasmine Scott-Kilgo 40-9.75/12.44m
17. Natalia Madison 39-11.25/12.17m
18. Kiara Lee 39-10/12.14m
4x4
5. Latasha Smith, Danielle Bess, Kiah Williams, Samieyrah Bradwell 3:36.61
14. Selena Wright, Beyonce Defreitas, Tamia Badal, Kai'lyn Kirkland 3:46.64
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