UCF’s track and field team posted several top-10 finishes and set new personal records at the USF Invitational on April 11 in Tampa, Florida. The meet took place at the USF Track & Field Stadium and featured strong performances across a range of events.
The results highlighted UCF’s progress this season, with athletes excelling in both sprints and distance races. Kimberly “Tuti” Smith led the way in the long jump, finishing sixth with a leap of 5.99 meters. In distance events, Daisy Ross finished second in the 3000-meter steeplechase with a time of 11:22.53, followed by teammate Emily Wheldon who placed fourth.
Alexandra Raquet delivered one of the day’s standout performances by running a personal-best 4:25.12 in the 1500 meters, which is now the third-fastest time in program history for that event. The sprint group also had notable results as Ese Awusa secured second place in the 100 meters with an 11.40-second finish. Khristel Martindale and Aaliyah Gipson tied for seventh and eighth respectively at 11.70 seconds each, while Deja Shaw-Huckaby rounded out UCF’s top-10 finishers with a season-best time.
Raquel Edwards continued her steady improvement during this outdoor season by achieving another personal best of 2:10.82 to finish ninth in the women’s 800 meters.
Other Knights setting new personal records included Genelle Stephens (400m – 54.66s), Brianna Rodriguez (400m hurdles – 1:00.05), Madison Patchan (5000m -17:41.36), as well as Shaw-Huckaby’s performance mentioned earlier.
The Knights are scheduled to compete next at the Tom Jones Invitational held in Gainesville starting Friday, April 17.
