Track & Field's 4x400m Relay Squad Shatter Program Record At Tyson InvitationalTrack & Field's 4x400m Relay Squad Shatter Program Record At Tyson Invitational

Track & Field's 4x400m Relay Squad Shatter Program Record At Tyson Invitational

by Aiden Kocol
Opens in a new window Meet Results Opens in a new window UCF Results (PDF)

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – They say lightning doesn’t strike the same place twice. On Saturday evening, however, UCF Track & Field proved that adage to be a myth.

Competing at the Tyson Invitational inside the Randal Tyson Track Center, the Knights’ 4x400-meter relay squad turned in another record-breaking performance, lowering its own program mark in a strong showing against a stacked field, capping off a productive weekend for the Black and Gold in the meet's final event. 

"This was a good weekend for this team. We made some great progress this weekend. Now is the time where you want the team to be hitting its stride. We were highlighted by a school record in the 4x4  and a national ranking of 8th. The distance squad had a great weekend and the field events made some improvements. We will take these next two weeks to prepare for the Big 12 championships."

Head Coach Dana Boone

MEET HIGHLIGHTS

  • The 4x400m relay was the premier event of the weekend, featuring other top programs including Texas, Florida, Arkansas and Tennessee. Janiah Pulliam, Genelle Stephens, Jazmen Newberry and Twaneise Johnson clocked a 3:29.21, breaking the previous program best set by Newberry, Johnson, Kiah Williams, and Deja Shaw-Huckaby almost exactly a year earlier at the very same meet (3:29.93, Feb. 15, 2025). The mark is not only good for the best in the Big 12, but also to slot in at the eighth-best in the nation.
  • Jasmine Ross highlighted a strong weekend for the jumps squad, securing a ninth-place finish in the long jump on Friday, with a distance of 6.08m. Her season-best jump, it earned her the No. 5 spot in the program record book.
  • Alexandra Raquet continued her strong indoor campaign for UCF’s distance group, turning in a dominant performance in the 3000m. The junior shattered her previous personal best with a time of 9:25.33, earning a first-place finish and moving into No. 2 all-time in program history in the event.
  • Coach Bryan Harmon and the distance group saw equal success in the mile, where both competing runners, Bailey McLain and Kendall Hughes, set new personal records, clocking in at 4:57.51 and 4:54.53, respectively. 
  • The Black and Gold’s 200m group had a superb performance, with Pulliam (23.27s), Newbery (23.47s) and Samiyah Roberson (23.78s) all turning in new bests in the event. Pulliam and Newberry times left their marks on the all-time record books as well, securing the No. 5 and No. 9 spots, respectively.

 

ADDITIONAL PERSONAL-BESTS & RECORDS
Across two action-packed days, seven Knights turned in performances that stood out on the results sheet: 

Jazmen Newberry
400m -  52.77s, PR, No. 3 All-Time
200m - 23.47s, PR, No. 9 All-Time

Alexandra Raquet
3000m -  9:25.33, PR, No. 2 All-Time

Jasmine Ross
LJ - 6.08m, Tied No. 5 All-Time

Bailey McLain
Mile - 4:57.51, PR, No. 10 All-Time

Kendall Hughes
Mile - 4:54.53, PR, No. 8 All-Time

Janiah Pulliam
200m -  23.27s, PR, No. 5 All-Time

Samiyah Roberson
200m - 23.78s, PR

UP NEXT
The Knights will take a two-week break before beginning post-season competition at the Big 12 Championships in Lubbock, Texas, beginning on Friday, Feb. 27.