4x400m Squad Punches Ticket to NCAA National Championships4x400m Squad Punches Ticket to NCAA National Championships

4x400m Squad Punches Ticket to NCAA National Championships

by Aiden Kocol
Meet Results UCF Results (PDF)

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Saving its best for last, the track and field team’s 4x400-meter relay squad punched its ticket to the 2026 NCAA Outdoor Championships in the final event of the weekend Saturday night at the UK Track and Field Complex.

"I was proud of the way they competed today. They showed some real heart and punched their ticket to Oregon."

Head Coach Dana Boone

The qualification marks the first 4x400 NCAA Outdoor Championship berth of head coach Dana Boone’s tenure and the program’s first appearance in the event since 2014. It also makes track and field the 11th of UCF’s 16 athletic programs to earn an NCAA postseason bid during the 2025-26 year, setting a new program record.

The quartet of Deja Shaw-Huckaby, Jazmen Newberry, Janiah Pulliam and Twaneise Johnson crossed the line in 3:28.39, placing third in its heat to earn an automatic qualification to Hayward Field. The time ranked eighth overall among the regional qualifiers and was just 0.30 seconds shy of the group's season best.

The Knights’ gold medal-winning 4x100-meter relay season came to an end Saturday, though Janiah Pulliam will still make the trip to Eugene as a member of the 4x400-meter relay squad. Jazmen Newberry will do the same after capping a historic campaign in the 400 meters.

Toni Galloway (100mH) and Genelle Stephens (400mH) also concluded their seasons in their respective events, putting the finishing touches on standout 2026 campaigns.

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Boone and her 4x400 squad will have a 10-day rest before heading to Eugene, Ore., to continue their postseason push at the 2026 NCAA Outdoor Championship.