ORLANDO – UCF track and field is set to travel to Gainesville for the Jimmy Carnes Invitational at the Alachua County Sports and Events Center. The action will start Friday, Jan. 16, with 25 athletes hoping to keep the momentum going after an impressive season opener.
This marks UCF’s third consecutive appearance at the meet. Last year, the Knights posted strong performances in the 1000m and 3000m, breaking program records.
LAST TIME OUT
The squad opened the season at the Rod McCravy Invitational in Louisville, Ky., bringing home multiple personal records and program history breaks. The Knights impressed in the 60m with PRs from Coco Branch, posting a time of 7.41s, followed by Samiyah Roberson at 7.58s and Toni Galloway at 7.85s. Datavia Hunter advanced to the finals in the event, clocking a personal-best 7.39.
Brianna Rodriguez turned in a PR in the 400m, while Jazmen Newberry had an impressive weekend with personal bests in the 60m (7.43) and the 300m (37.66).
Distance events delivered strong performances, led by Bailey McLain setting PRs in the 800m (2:14.96) and 1000m (2:54.91), with the 1000m mark the third-fastest time in program history. Alexandra Raquet set a personal best 4:54.27 in the mile to place among the top 10 finishers of the meet, while Yvone Sandui added a top-10 program performance in the 800m (2:55.97).
The 4x400m relay team of Genelle Stephens, Twaneise Johnson, Morgan Rothwell, and Newberry closed the weekend with a fourth-place finish, recording the 10th-fastest time in program history.