ORLANDO, Fla. – The UCF Track and Field team got the job done on day one of the NCAA East Preliminary Track and Field Championships in Jacksonville, Fla. With nine qualifications to Saturday's quarterfinals and the first ticket punched to Nationals, the Knights were propelled by some experienced performances, along with a few athletes writing some history.
"It was a good day for the Knights, Jasmine Scott Kilgo punched her ticket to NCAA's in the long jump," said head coach Dana Boone. "On the track, we got a lot of Big Q's and we are looking forward to getting some more qualified for Austin on Saturday.
The highlight of an eventful first day in Jacksonville was undoubtedly Scott-Kilgo's incredible qualification to the National Championships in Austin next month. It's been in the making for the senior as in her fifth collegiate season, she will finally be among the final-24 athletes that compete on the biggest stage, a much-deserved accomplishment for one of the program's best all-time jumpers. Her mark of 6.19m (20-3.75) secured her ticket to Texas in the long jump, though the Canadian isn't done yet as she'll compete in the triple jump on Saturday.
Four Knights racked up two qualifications each, along with Kiah Williams who ran the second fastest time in program history as her 52.29 performance propelled the junior to her first career quarterfinals appearance. Kaylor Harris had a strong day as she advanced in both the 100-meter dash and hurdles, notching her first career quarterfinals ticket. Her hurdles time of 13.07 is her second-best all-time performance as she finished 14th. An hour later, Harris matched fellow Knight, Rayniah Jones, with a time of 11.27, the fifth-best performance in program history. The aforementioned Jones showed her experience with two solid showings, advancing in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 12.98 and the 100-meter dash with her own 11.27 performance.
Latasha Smith will look to punch two tickets to Austin on Saturday as she secured two qualifications this evening. In the 200-meter dash, she ran a 23.03, which followed her time of 52.88 in the 400-meter dash earlier on. Daija Lampkin was brilliant in both the 100 and 200-meter dash, as the secured quarterfinals qualification with times of 11.44 (100m) and 23.16 (200).
For the full results, click here.
LONG JUMP
12. Jasmine Scott-Kilgo: 6.19m (20-3.75) Q
27. Asherah Collins: 5.97m (19-7)
100M HURDLES
10. Rayniah Jones: 12.98 Q
14. Kaylor Harris: 13.07 Q
32. Alicia Coleman: 13.46
100M DASH
18. Rayniah Jones: 11.27 Q
18. Kaylor Harris: 11.27 Q
32. Daija Lampkin: 11.44 Q
34. Janyah Jasper: 11.46
37. I'Asia Wilson: 11.53
47. Ani Wells: 11.76
400M DASH
3. Kiah Williams: 52.29 Q
13. Latasha Smith: 52.88 Q
200M DASH
18. Latasha Smith: 23.03 Q
22. Daija Lampkin: 23.16 Q
26. Beyonce Defreitas: 23.26