The UCF track and field team is officially bringing back the "UCFast" motto for the Knights, as UCF won not just one but two Big 12 titles at the Big 12 Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Lawrence, Kansas, over the weekend.
The most jaw-dropping of the two titles came in the final race of the weekend when the 4x400 teams took the track. After winning the indoor Big 12 championship earlier in the year, the team, made up of Janiah Pulliam, Twaneise Johnson, Y'Vette Harris, and Jazmen Newberry, was able to pull off another victory, but this one came in much more dramatic fashion.
As Newberry took the baton on the final lap, UCF was in third place after Harris's lap. Newberry had a lot of ground to make up with TCU and Arizona well in front. It was a battle between TCU and Arizona in the front, with Newberry working to close the gap.
As Arizona took the lead around the final bend, the broadcasters were able to crown Arizona as the champion. Newberry made the most incredible push in the final 100 meters to bring home another Big 12 championship, and sweep the 4x400 races in both the indoor and outdoor seasons.
The 4x400 relay was not the only title won by UCF in Lawrence, as Adaobi Tabugbo brought home to 100-meter hurdles title, following in the footsteps of UCF great and potential Olympic athlete Rayniah Jones.
UCF finished the day with 41 points, showing that they belong in the Big 12, especially on the track. Now the Knights will prepare for the NCAA East Preliminary meet, which will take place in about a week and a half, starting on May 28 and running through Saturday, May 31, in Jacksonville, Florida. This meet will serve as a qualifier for the NCAA Outdoor Championships, which will take place in Eugene, Oregon, from June 11 to June 14.