AUSTIN, Texas – Two Knights were crowned Second Team All-Americans Saturday night to wrap up the 2023 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships at the Mike A. Myers Track Stadium. Asherah Collins made history in the triple jump, while Rayniah Jones solidified herself as one of the program's most decorated athletes. It marks the fourth consecutive season (2020 National Championships canceled) the Knights have garnered either a first or second-team All-America honor since head coach Dana Boone took over in 2019.
"Well this wasn't the NCAA meet we had hoped for but there are lots of things to be proud of for this team," said coach Boone. "I'm excited to see the progress Asherah Collins has made in performing at this meet. Rayniah Jones has always found her way into the finals for the Knights. Overall this was a tremendous and historic season. The future is bright and we will come back stronger and better next year."
It was yet another strong finale for Jones as her 2023 campaign came to a close with a Second Team All-America honor. The junior, following her time of 12.91 to advance to the finals, came in ninth with a 13.00 performance. In her third consecutive appearance on the big stage, Jones secured the fifth-best finish in the event, as she joined UCF legends Jackie Coward and Aurieyall Scott as the only Knights to compete in the finals in one event for three seasons in a row.
One of three Knights embarking on their third trip to the National Championships, along with the aforementioned Jones and Beyonce Defreitas, Collins notched her first career Second Team All-American honor as she finished 10th in the Triple Jump. Her 13.48m (44-2.75) jump was among the best this season for the junior as she secured the highest finish at the Outdoor National Championships in the program's history, besting Dione Thomas who finished 24th in 2009. Collins, who had broken the all-time record at the American Athletic Conference Championships in Tampa, Florida, last month, set the new best once again by a foot.
The Knights will now embark on a new era, joining the Big 12 officially in three weeks.
Host Texas won the National Championship with 83 points.