Categories: College University Athletics

UCF Track and Field Team Shines at Outdoor Big 12 Championship

UCF athletes showcase their strength and teamwork during the relay event at the Outdoor Big 12 Championship.

News Summary

The UCF track and field team delivered a stellar performance at the Outdoor Big 12 Championship, securing multiple gold medals and finishing ninth overall. Fifth-year athlete Adaobi Tabugbo won gold in the 100-meter hurdles, breaking her personal record. The Knights also excelled in the 4×400-meter relay, contributing to the team’s overall score of 41 points. Several other athletes achieved personal bests, notably in the heptathlon and 200 meters. UCF will next compete at the NCAA East preliminary, aiming to continue their successful streak.

Lawrence, Kansas – The UCF track and field team delivered an impressive performance at the Outdoor Big 12 Championship, securing multiple gold medals and contributing to the team’s overall ninth-place finish. Over three days of competition, held from May 15 to May 17, the Knights showcased their athletic prowess, highlighted by standout achievements from fifth-year athlete Adaobi Tabugbo and the 4×400-meter relay team.

Tabugbo began her championship journey with the 100-meter hurdle preliminary on Friday, clinching first place and qualifying for the finals with a time of 13.08 seconds. She continued to excel, breaking her personal record in the finals held on Saturday, where she clocked in at 12.87 seconds to win the gold medal. The celebration that followed her victory saw her fall to her knees in joy, sharing heartfelt moments with fellow competitors, including second-place finisher Destiny Smith from Texas Tech and senior teammate Ese Awusa, who finished eighth.

Adding to UCF’s medal tally, the team triumphed in the 4×400-meter relay, with a remarkable finish time of 3:33.62. The relay squad comprised sophomore Janiah Pulliam, junior Twaneise Johnson, sophomore Y’Vette Harris, and junior Jazmen Newberry. Their performance not only clinched the gold medal but also secured a fifth place on UCF’s all-time top 10 list for the event.

UCF’s collective efforts earned the team 41 points, landing them in ninth place overall at the championship. Several other athletes made significant contributions to the team’s performance. Senior Natalia Madison placed sixth in the heptathlon with a total of 5,203 points, following a two-day competition that included seven events. Among her accomplishments, Madison set a personal record in the 200 meters with a time of 24.23 seconds.

Pulliam also showcased her talent during the event, winning her heat in the 200 meters on May 15 with a time of 23.25 seconds. She advanced to the finals, where she finished fifth and recorded a personal best of 23.01 seconds, positioning her seventh in UCF’s all-time rankings. Newberry, who placed second in her heat with a time of 23.30 seconds, qualified for the finals as well, ultimately finishing in eighth place.

In the 400-meter event, Johnson secured second in her heat, clocking in at 53.57 seconds, later finishing eighth in the finals. Sophomore Alexis Waller made her mark in the triple jump on Saturday by achieving a personal record of 12.47 meters. Additionally, Wilson qualified for the finals in the 100-meter dash with a preliminary time of 11.54 seconds, improving her score to 11.21 seconds in the finals, which placed her fourth and solidified her fifth spot in UCF’s all-time rankings.

The Outdoor Big 12 Championship featured not only finals but also preliminary races spread over Thursday and Friday leading into the finals on Saturday. UCF’s track and field team will next compete at the NCAA East preliminary scheduled for May 28 to May 31 in Jacksonville, where they will aim to build on their successful outing at the conference championship.