Two UCF Knights, Rayniah Jones and Asherah Collins, are heading to Eugene, Oregon for the NCAA Track and Field Championships.

Both advanced out of the East Regionals in Jacksonville on Saturday. It’s the first time UCF has sent more than one individual athlete to the NCAA finals since 2016.

Jones Blazes to 100 Hurdles Quarters

Jones qualified for Eugene with a 12.89, which was 5th in the regional.

It wasn’t her personal best of 12.73, but in a loaded field, the freshman still impressed among numerous other more experienced athletes. It was the 12th best time of all the prelims. She’s the first Knight to qualify for nationals in the 100 Hurdles since Jackie Coward did it in 2011.

Collins Comes up Clutch in Triple Jump

It took until her fifth and final attempt, but Asherah Collins made it to the NCAAs with a 43 foot, 1.5 inch effort.

Collins is the first Knight to qualify for the NCAA Finals in the Triple Jump since Dione Thomas did it in 2009. She finished 12th with a mark of 12.87 meters. Collins’ qualifying effort was 13.14. That personal best was the 24th-best of both the East and West prelims.

Head coach Dana Boone reflected on her athletes’ performances:

The NCAA Championships will be at the University of Oregon from June 9-12.