Multiple Knights Advance to Finals to Open Big 12 Outdoor ChampionshipsMultiple Knights Advance to Finals to Open Big 12 Outdoor Championships

Multiple Knights Advance to Finals to Open Big 12 Outdoor Championships

by Alex Clough

LAWRENCE, Kansas - A pair of Knights punched their tickets into Saturday’s final to open the UCF track and field team’s second Big 12 Outdoor Championships at the Rock Chalk Park. A promising afternoon from Natalia Madison in the heptathlon preceded a trio of track prelims, with an overall promising day from the Black and Gold setting the tone for the final two days in Kansas.

Heptathlon - Day 1

OVERALL: 2nd (3383 Pts.)

  1. 100mH: 5th (14.12)
  2. High Jump: 5th (1.66m)
  3. Shot Put: 3rd (11.94m)
  4. 200m: 2nd (24.23)

Madison authored a strong performance throughout day one of the heptathlon, opening action with good marks across the board. The senior was the only competing athlete to place among the top five in each of the first four events.

The Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, native commenced action with a pair of fifth-place finishes in the 100m hurdles (14.12) and high jump (1.66m). 

Entering the final two events in third, Madison was keen to climb the leaderboard ahead. Placing third in the shot put with an 11.94m mark, she eventually climbed into second behind Oklahoma State’s Annie Molenhouse after a runner-up finish and personal-best 24.23 in the 200m.

Sandwiched between Morehouse and Cincinnati’s Juliette Laracuente-Huebner, both ranked among the top-10 in the NCAA, Madison will strive to conclude her final conference meet in style tomorrow afternoon.

Track Prelims - Day 1

The 1500m began action on the track as Kendall Hughes placed 21st overall and eighth in a stacked heat four with a time of 4:38.68. Her outing concluded a strong junior campaign from the Lithia, Florida, native, as teammates Yvone Sandui (800m) and Abby Clements (5000m) will also compete this weekend.

It was all Black and Gold in the first of six 200m heats. Sophomore sensation Janiah Pulliam led the pack with an impressive 23.25, followed shortly by Jazmen Newberry in second with her time of 23.30. The pairing both secured tickets into Saturday’s final (8:35 p.m. ET).

While not moving on alongside her fellow Knights, senior I’Asia Wilson produced a season-best 23.59 to finish third in the opening heat. Deja Shaw-Huckaby (32nd) and Khristel Martindale (34th) rounded out the UCF charge.

Y’Vette Harris concluded the day in the first of two hurdles events this weekend, placing 20th with a time of 1:00.06 in the 400m hurdles.

Friday’s Schedule (All Times EST)