ORLANDO – With three meets including a big weekend at the Florida Relays under the belt, the UCF track and field team has checked in at No. 8 in this week's NCAA D1 Women's Outdoor Track & Field National Rating Index. Following their program-high No. 3 ranking to start the season, the Knights remain in the top 10 following some of the nation's best getting their season's underway at both the Florida and Texas Relays.
It was yet another well-rounded outing this weekend in Gainesville, Florida, especially for Rayniah Jones. The All-American was the last leg on the Shuttle Hurdle Relay squad which currently holds the fastest time in the nation with their program record 53.45 performance, the seventh best in collegiate history. Following a strong showing in the 4x100 relay as her squad took fifth, the junior ran two phenomenal times in the 100-meter hurdles. With a prelim time of 12.76, Jones then won the finals with her nationally ranked fourth 12.75 performance. It was her fastest collegiate time in almost two years and is also the fourth best in the world this year.
Kiah Williams too continues to give great results week after week as she set a new personal best in the 400-meter dash. Her time of 52.54 is currently seventh in the nation and third in program history. The Sophomore, fresh off her 400-meter dash indoor title, is showing no signs of slowing down. Latasha Smith also stays among the nation's best at ninth.
The Knights 4x100 relay squad of Ani Wells, I'Asia Wilson, Beyonce Defreitas and Janyah Jasper took third in the event this past weekend as their time of 43.77 is now eighth in the country and tenth in program history.
Knights in the Top 10
Rayniah Jones / 100-meter hurdles (3rd)
Kiah Williams / 400-meter dash (7th)
Latasha Smith / 400-meter dash (9th)
Jasmine Scott-Kilgo / Long Jump (9th)
Adrienne Adams / Discus (7th)
Wells, Wilson, Defreitas, Jasper / 4x100 Relay (8th)
Harris, Madison, Coleman, Jones / Shuttle Hurdle Relay / (1st)