Track and Field Qualifies Five Into Second Rounds at NCAA East PreliminaryTrack and Field Qualifies Five Into Second Rounds at NCAA East Preliminary

Track and Field Qualifies Five Into Second Rounds at NCAA East Preliminary

by Alex Clough

JACKSONVILLE, Florida - Five Knights continued their charge towards nationals on Thursday, as the UCF track and field team placed multiple athletes into the second round of the NCAA East Preliminary on the Jax Track at Hodges Stadium.

With Thursday's schedule pushed up due to projected inclement weather, an expected night under the lights turned into a day under the overcast clouds. Looking to get the first round started right, the Knights had their largest field in the 100m hurdles to set the tone. 

In the second heat, both Ese Awusa and Y'Vette Harris hit the starting blocks, each sitting outside the top three entering the race.  However, the pair carried in promising performances at the Big 12 Outdoor Championships, and against the strong field, were each able to punch their tickets into the next round. 

Awusa took the third and final automatic spot, clocking a personal-best 13.18, now the eighth fastest mark in program history. Dropping her record from 13.34, the Nigerian placed 17th overall to put herself in striking distance of the 12 bids available for the NCAA Outdoor National Championships. Following closely behind, Harris had to await her fate after producing a personal-best 13.30 of her own. After the sixth heat concluded, the sophomore tallied an at-large bid with the rounds' 22nd-fastest time.

The Big 12 Champion claimed the fifth heat with a 13.09, as Tabugbo's strong start out of the blocks provided the graduate with space to withhold her opponents in lane four. For the first time under head coach Dana Boone, the Knights will have three athletes competing in the second round of the 100m hurdles, one of just two schools (Vanderbilt) with a trio. In the last five years, the Knights are one of nine programs to achieve the feat in the nation.

QUALIFIED

After tallying her first-career individual medal in a conference championship earlier this month in Lawrence, Kansas, I'Asia Wilson secured another special moment in the 100m. Competing in the rounds' most competitive heat, the senior authored a composed time of 11.32, crossing the line in sixth, good enough to secure her a spot in the second round for the first time in her career.

QUALIFIED

Twaneise Johnson clocked a 53.18 in the fifth heat of the 400m to place 30th overall. The Kansas State transfer will be back in action on Saturday in the 4x400m relay as the Big 12 champions look to secure their place at nationals. The first Knight to compete in a distance at the NCAA East Preliminary since 2022, Yvone Sandui ran a 2:09.54 before being later disqualified due to a lane violation.

The rain would find its way into Thursday's schedule, however, as the 200m had to be pushed to 8 p.m. following a delay. On the heels of a breakout sophomore campaign, Janiah Pulliam secured an at-large bid into the second round after clocking a 23.36 in the 200m, placing 18th overall. Jazmen Newberry just missed the 24th spot as her time of 23.53 landed her in 26th.

QUALIFIED

SATURDAY SCHEDULE

  • 4x100m Relay - 5 p.m.
  • 100m Hurdles - 6:15 p.m.
  • 100m - 6:35 p.m.
  • 200m - 7:50 p.m.
  • 4x400m Relay - 8:45 p.m.