ORLANDO — Bethune-Cookman track and field begins the outdoor season in Orlando at the UCF Black & Gold Invitiational. The first events begin a 10:30 a.m. Friday.



Thje Wildcats wrapped up its 2026 indoor season season with a fourth-place finish on the men's side and an 11th-place finish for the women at the Birmingham Crossplex.

The Wildcats finished just outside podium territory with 80 points - just two points shy of third-place finisher Florida A&M. Texas Southern took the team title with 108 points, followed by Jackson State in second with 97. 

For the women, Florida A&M took first place with 131 points, followed by Alabama State and Southern with 124 and 74 points, respectively. B-CU finished with 22 points as a team.

Andrew Kiplagat was the star again for B-CU. He medaled in two events. He earned gold in the 3000 meters with a finish of 8:31.13, followed by a silver in the 5000 meters with a 14:54.06. He was also a part of the gold-winning Distance Medley Relay team, finishing with a time of 10:26.05 along with teammates Gerrard Griffin, Makhii Fleming, and Dashawn Buist.

Kiplagat was not the only medalist for B-CU. Michael Carter took gold in the long jump with a 7.42 meter finish, and Jordan Riche's 17.34m weight throw was good for bronze. 

The 4x400 relay team took second as Ethan Sharpe, Jonathan Gaines,Jancent Wallace, and Sha'Nard Walker combined for a finish of 3:13.75/

Kasie Ugeh was the lone medalist for the women, earning bronze in the shot put with a 13.27 meter throw. She also finished fourth in the weight throw with a 15.61m. 

The UCF Soccer and Track Complex serves as home for the Knights' men's and women's soccer and women's track and field programs. The location, originally built in 1991, was re-opened in May 2011 following the construction of a grandstand seating facility on the west side.

Surrounding one of the top pitches in all of college soccer is an eight-lane, 400-meter track featuring a Martin Surface that was refurbished in the summer of 2004. In 2008, an expanded throwing area for the hammer, discus and shotput was also added to the complex. Both, long jump and triple jump pits, were rebuilt ahead of the 2008 season.

The men's and women's soccer teams also have access to the soccer practice field, located northeast of the UCF Soccer and Track Complex and just outside IOA Plaza of Bright House Networks Stadium.

The event begins tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. with the women's javelin throw. The action from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday will be streamed live on ESPN+.

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