Williams Wins 400m as Track and Field Opens Action at Orange and Purple InvitationalWilliams Wins 400m as Track and Field Opens Action at Orange and Purple Invitational

Williams Wins 400m as Track and Field Opens Action at Orange and Purple Invitational

by Alex Clough
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CLEMSON, S.C. - Competing at one of the premier meets in the nation this weekend, the UCF track and field team authored a strong outing during the first day of the Orange and Purple Invitational.

A convincing win in the 400m, paired with personal bests and top-10 times all around, the Knights will look to carry this momentum into the second and final day.

Natalia Madison served as the lone Knight to compete in the weekend’s first event, placing seventh in the finals of the long jump with a strong debut mark of 5.84m.

The 5000m commenced action on the track as a trio of Knights landed within the top 10, highlighted by twins Riley and Paige Jaszczak placing sixth and seventh, with the former securing a personal-best 17:57.43. Freshman Avery Latto also produced an eighth-place finish with her time of 18:00.30, a strong debut from the Seminole, Florida, native.

Momentum would carry into the 1000m for UCF as all three Knights set personal bests, headlined by freshman Raquel Edwards running the fifth fastest time in program history with her 2:57.13 and sixth overall finish. Kendall Hughes tallied her third consecutive record in the event and fourth place, remaining third in program history at 2:55.21. Fellow freshman Gianna Del Pizzo authored a strong time of 3:01.21 and she continues to build confidence on the track.

1000m

In the first of two semifinals, four Knights punched their tickets in the 60m. I’Asia Wilson led the way in seventh (7.40), followed by Adaobi Tabugbo in 12th, Ese Awusa in 15th and Coco Branch in 23rd. Tabugbo and Awusa would also advance in the 60m hurdles, with the Nigerian tandem placing fourth (8.23) and eighth (8.34). Sophomore Y’Vette Harris also joined them in the semis with her 8.76 in the final heat.

Each athlete had just over an hour to prep for the semis which was more than enough time for Wilson who coasted to a fourth-place finish and a spot in the finals with her time of 7.35. In the 60m hurdles, Tabugbo clocked a season-best 8.14, just over her overall career best, to place third in a stacked field.

Arguably the premier event of the day for the Knights didn’t disappoint, with senior Kiah Williams dominating the competition in the 400m, securing a personal-record 52.69, her first in two seasons. The performance pushes her closer to the program record (52.32) and strengthens her position in second.

Williams was followed by Twaneise Johnson who dropped her record to 54.54, remaining seventh in program history and placing eighth overall. Just behind her in 10th was Albany transfer Jazmen Newberry, clocking a personal-best 55.02 and shifting her into ninth all-time at UCF. Sophomore Janiah Pulliam followed suit, tallying a career best with her 55.68 time and 12th overall placement.

4000m

In the first final of the evening, Wilson capped off her day with a season-best 7.32 and a third-place finish, providing a great outing for the senior. Competing in her fourth race of the day, Tabugbo concluded action with a solid showing in the 60m hurdles finals, placing fourth with a time of 8.18.

The Knights will be back in action tomorrow starting with the high jump at 10 a.m. before track events begin with the 3000m at 11 a.m.