Photo Courtesy of Evert Nelson/American Athletic Conference
WICHITA, Kansas – The UCF track and field team opened action at the 2022 American Athletic Conference Outdoor Championship on Friday at Cessna Stadium.
The multis got the energy started with a strong opening day. Brittany Floyd placed second in the 100-meter hurdles with Natalia Madison following close behind finishing in fourth. Madison followed up that performance by tying for first in the high jump, jumping 1.70-meters. Floyd and Holly Cassels also placed in the top 10.
The shot put saw all three Knights set new personal bests. Madison led the way throwing 11.49m, Floyd reached a distance of 11.12m, and Cassels hit 11.00m.
The freshman Madison continued her strong day by setting the meet record in the heptathlon 200-meter with a time of 24.54. Floyd placed second behind Madison with a time of 24.86.
All three Knights finished the first day of the heptathlon in the top ten. Madison led the way for the Knights sitting in second place; Floyd is in fourth and Cassels is in 10th.
Friday evening saw the Black and Gold in action in preliminary rounds of the 1500-meter run, 200-meter dash and 400-meter hurdles. In all, eight Knights advanced to Sunday's finals in their respective events.
Beyonce Defreitas and Selena Wright both set huge personal bests in their prelims. Defreitas ran a 23.20 to finish second in the 200m prelims while Wright ran a 57.64 400-meter hurdles.
Both Charlotte Crook and Valerie Lastra – UCF's two 1500m competitors – both finished in the top four of their heat to advance to the final on Sunday.
Latasha Smith and Rayniah Jones both won their 200m heats and will join Defreitas and I'Asia Wilson in Sunday's final. Four Knights will make up the eight-member final field.
Tamia Badal joins Wright in the 400-meter hurdles final.
UCF is back for the second day of action on Saturday, beginning with the heptathlon long jump at noon ET.
UCF Results
Heptathlon
100H
2. Brittany Floyd 14.05
4. Natalia Madison 14.28
14. Holly Cassels 15.18
High Jump
1. Natalia Madison 1.70m
5. Brittany Floyd 1.64m
7. Holly Cassels 1.58m
Shot Put
3. Natalia Madison 11.49m
5. Brittany Floyd 11.12m
6. Holly Cassels 11.00m
200m
1. Natalia Madison 24.54
2. Brittany Floyd 24.86
12. Holly Cassels 26.51
1500m Trials
5. Charlotte Crook 4:34.80Q
7. Valerie Lastra 4:35.30Q
200m Trials
2. Beyonce Defreitas 23.20Q
3. Latasha Smith 23.29Q
5. Rayniah Jones 23.78Q
8. I'Asia Wilson 23.70q
9. Ciara Holback 23.81
10. Danielle Bess 23.89
400H Trials
1. Selena Wright 57.64Q
7. Tamia Badal 1:01.12q
10. Alicia Coleman 1:02.06
Hammer Throw
11. Ashlyn Green 49.22m
