“Jackie ran an excellent race,” head coach Caryl Smith Gilbert said. “Although her start left a lot to be desired, as a coach, it’s difficult to complain when someone equals their PR in a championship competition. I’m proud of her performance today.”
The Knights finished 21st overall with 11 points on the weekend. That point total was aided once again by freshman Aurieyall Scott in the finals of the 60 meters. Scott earned her second All-American nod of the weekend with a seventh place finish in the 60 meters. Scott’s time of 7.275 was one-thousandth of a second back of the sixth-place finisher and earned two points.
Scott also earned All-American honors Friday in the 200 meters, while sophomore Sonnisha Williams was named All-American in the long jump.
“Aurieyall was the ultimate team player this weekend. She earned All-American honors twice this weekend and ran a total of five races over two days,” Smith Gilbert added. “As a freshman that is a wonderful and very rare accomplishment.”
UCF’s 4×400-meter relay team placed 11th in the nation, running a 3:35.70 Saturday night. The Knights automatically qualified last week at Notre Dame with a program-record 3:34.00. Saturday’s time was the second fastest in program history.
Champelle Brown, Afia Charles, Sandy Jean and Scott made up the Knights’ contingent in the event Saturday at Texas A&M’s Gilliam Indoor Track Stadium.
“Our goal was a Top 5 to 10 finish, but this will keep us working hard and make us hungrier for a Top-10 finish outdoors,” Smith Gilbert said.
“Overall the weekend can be chalked up as a positive learning experience headed into the outdoor season. Being in Florida, we are an outdoor team so the next 12 weeks will be very exciting.”
The Knights will now turn their attention to the outdoor season which begins Saturday, March 19 at the UCF Black & Gold Challenge.