Hustle Points: 5/31

With national championships looming, Knights ascend to No. 13 in polls

The UCF Knights women’s track & field team jumped up one spot following the NCAA East Preliminary, moving up to No. 13 in the nation. The Knights enjoyed great success at the Preliminaries in Jacksonville and will be sending six athletes to the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Des Moines, Iowa. The Championships will run from June 6 through June 9.

Former Knight George makes first MLS start, numerous UCF players take part in summer leagues

Saturday was a big day for one former UCF Knight.

Kevan George, who in his career as a Knight helped lead the program to two NCAA Tournament appearances, made his first start of his MLS career. George started for the Columbus Crew in what would become a 2-1 victory for the Crew over the Chicago Fire. George played the entire 90 minutes in the win, which came at the expense of another former Knight. Sean Johnson is Chicago’s starting goalkeeper and has started nine contests this season.

Meanwhile, current Knights are working to get a leg up on the competition this summer. Numerous members of the men’s soccer team will be at work in summer leagues during the break. Shawn Doyle will be playing in the Premier Developmental League, Leonardo Ayala will be training with the Houston Dynamo and Anton Sealey will be training with the Orlando City Under-23 club.

UCF women’s hoops loses one coach, adds another

After five years aiding head coach Joi Williams on the sidelines, associate head coach Greg Brown has received and accepted an offer to take over as the head coach of the women’s basketball team at Lipscomb University. Brown was present at UCF under Williams for a tenure that saw the Knights win two Conference USA championships.

Meanwhile, while Brown has moved on to take an opportunity elsewhere, former UCF assistant Courtney Locke will be returning to the program to redeem her role as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. Locke left the program for a year to pursue an opportunity at UC Santa Barbara.

Land, Audas garner more recognition, named to All-Region team

Earlier this month, the UCF softball team had two of its best honored. Senior short stop Natalie Land and freshman pitcher Mackenzie Audas were named to the Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Mideast Region first and second teams, respectively.

Both players were also named to the All-Conference USA first team, and Audas was the Freshman of the Year in the league.

—compiled by Steven Ryzewski