ORLANDO, Fla. – The UCF track and field team weathered the storm on day two of the 2023 American Athletic Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships. With rough weather in the afternoon, the Knights did not sway, securing 23 points on the day along with 12 other spots in tomorrow's finals.
"Today was quite a day as we had to deal with some weather delays that put us running late into the night," said head coach Dana Boone following a long Saturday. "This team weathered the storm and did what they needed to do as we have lots of qualifiers for tomorrow's finals and we put up some more points up in the long jump. We have put ourselves in a good position and we look forward to competing tomorrow."
The Knights racked up nine points in the heptathlon as Natalia Madison (5247) and Holly Cassels (5037) shinned. In a prime position to advance up the ranks following a strong Saturday, Madison set a new personal best with her performance, remaining second in program history, along with her second consecutive season finishing fourth. Cassels followed closely behind with her career-best fifth-place finish, in all giving the Knights nine points.
Just 15 minutes into the second flight of the long jump, lightning entered the area, and all teams were forced to depart the track. Over four hours later, the competition resumed as Jasmine Scott-Kilgo and Asherah Collins found their groove. Collins claimed her first-ever podium finish in the event with her second-place 6.20m jump, while Scott-Kilgo secured her second consecutive bronze medal. In total, the jumps squad brought home 14 points for the Knights as tomorrow, the duo will look to replicate their success in the triple jump.
Track events got off to a spectacular start as all three Knights advanced to the finals of the 100-meter hurdles. Rayniah Jones led the way with her time of 11.47, trailed by Kaylor Harris (11.38) in second, and Alicia Coleman (13.61) in third. The 800-meter run followed as Katie Pinnell qualified with her time of 2:09.34, as the senior look's to finish her swan song in style.
The 400-meter and 100-meter dash capped off the sprint events, with a total of eight Knights advancing in all. Kiah Williams led the way in the 400-meter with her time of 52.49 as she was trailed by Latasha Smith in third with her time of 53.19. Williams will look to sweep the 400-meter dash tomorrow evening following her gold medal indoors. In the 100-meter, six Knights will compete in tomorrow's finals after a dominating performance. Beyonce Defreitas led the event with her time of 11.39, followed by Jones (11.47) in second and Lampkin (11.37) in fourth.
Brenna Mullaney capped the day off for the Knights as she ran a new personal best in the 3000-meter Steeplechase with her time of 10:57.03.
Saturday Results
HEPTATHLON
Long Jump
Natalia Madison | 5.83m (2)
Holly Cassels | 5.51m (7)
Javelin
Natalia Madison | 26.50m (15)
Holly Cassels | 32.81m (7)
800M Run
Natalia Madison | 2:35.34 (13)
Holly Cassels | 2:23.22 (13) *PR*
Long Jump
Asherah Collins | 6.20m (2)
Jasmine Scott-Kilgo | 6.16m (3)
Leiya Green | 5.77m (14)
100H
Rayniah Jones | 13.02 (1)
Alicia Coleman | 13.61 (4)
Kaylor Harris | 13.16 (2)
800m Run
Mariana Rodriguez | 2:12.03 (10)
Katie Pinnell | 2:09.34 (7)
Lillian Holtery | 2:13.31 (13)
400m Dash
Kiah Williams | 52.49 (1)
Kai'lyn Kirkland | 55.77 (11)
Latasha Smith | 53.19 (3)
100m Dash
Daija Lampkin | 11.51 (4)
Janyah Jasper | 11.57 (6)
Rayniah Jones | 11.47 (2)
Ani Wells | 11.68 (9)
Paige Archer | 11.94 (12)
Beyonce Defreitas | 11.39 (1)
I'Asia Wilson | 11.58 (7)
Kaylor Harris | 11.60 (8)
3k Steepleshase
Brenna Mullaney | 10:57.03 (9)