Track and Field Welcomes Top Programs to Orlando for Knights InviteTrack and Field Welcomes Top Programs to Orlando for Knights Invite

Track and Field Welcomes Top Programs to Orlando for Knights Invite

by Nicolas Hernandez

ORLANDO - Back in town for the Knights Invite this weekend, the UCF track and field team is warmed up for their second home meet of the outdoor season. The Black and Gold will look to add to their tally of nine top-10 performances in the Big 12 across eight events as the regular season comes to a close.

It’s no surprise that senior Adaobi Tabugbo makes an appearance on this list, ranking second in the Big 12 in the 100m hurdles. Her impressive time of 12.93 also positioned her just outside of the podium spots in the NCAA outdoor east rankings, sitting at a joint-fourth place with Auburn’s Ana-Liese Torian. One last meet on home turf this season will be the perfect venue for more Knights to join her with top 10 spots of their own.

LAST TIME OUT

The Knights made their presence felt in Gainesville for the second time this outdoor season, with multiple standout results across both days at the Tom Jones Memorial last weekend.

Sophomore Janiah Pulliam was the first of three to register a top 10 finish for UCF, clocking another personal best of 23.22 in the 200m to place sixth on the day and 10th in all-time UCF history. The second day of action saw Ese Awusa run an outstanding 13.82 in the 100m hurdles to finish in the runner-up spot, while Coco Branch followed shortly by securing sixth in the 100m thanks to her time of 11.64.

But there were still more changes to be made to the record books for UCF. Y’Vette Harris ran the eighth-best 400m hurdles time in program history with a 59.15 finish on Friday. Sophomore Twaneise Johnson had a similar feat the next day, running UCF’s fourth fastest 400m time of 52.62 while still in her debut season with the Knights.

STARTING BLOCKS

  • I’Asia Wilson will return to the Knights invite to run the 100m and 200m again after claiming top-five finishes in both last year. She will be joined by Coco Branch for both events in this year's edition. Wilson currently sits 12th in the Big 12 100m times at 11.49, while Branch isn’t too far behind in 16th with a time of 11.64.
  • Tabugbo will only have one event to focus on after sitting out during the Tom Jones Memorial. She has her sights set on achieving the top spot in the 100m hurdles after her personal best time of 12.93 at the Florida Relays earlier this month earned her third place.
  • Senior Madison Natalia holds top marks across five events for UCF. She will be using her experience to spearhead the long jump, triple jump, 200m, and the 100m hurdles this weekend. She currently comes in at number nine in the Big 12 rankings for the long jump and the heptathlon.

PARTICIPATING PROGRAMS

  • Baylor
  • South Florida
  • Florida Atlantic
  • FIU
  • Tulane
  • Georgia Southern
  • Jacksonville U
  • Buffalo
  • Ball State
  • Jacksonville State
  • Florida A&M
  • Alabama State
  • South Carolina State
  • Bethune-Cookman