Photo courtesy of USF Athletics.
By Sofía García Vargas
The University of South Florida’s track and field teams ran to victory at the American Athletic Conference (AAC) Championship in Birmingham, Ala.
The men’s team clinched their first-ever conference title, while the women’s team secured a third-place finish.
Under the guidance of head coach Erik Jenkins and his dedicated staff, the Bulls added a total of six event wins and a haul of 156 points, with the men’s team marking a significant milestone in the program’s history.
The accolades continued to pour in for the Bulls, as coach Jenkins and his staff were recognized as the men’s coaching staff of the year.
Additionally, standout athletes such as Markel Jones, who clinched victory in the 60m hurdles and contributed to the men’s 4×400 relay team’s triumph, was named men’s freshman of the year.
Jaleel Croal, who displayed exceptional skill by winning both the 200m and 60m dash, was crowned men’s most valuable performer.
Coach Jenkins expressed immense pride in his team’s performance, emphasizing the dedication and hard work that went into achieving this historic victory.
“This championship is the culmination of a lot of hard work and dedication by the student-athletes, coaching staff, and administration,” Jenkins said.
The journey to victory began on Friday, with Kobe Babin’s performance in the men’s pole vault, securing first place with a clearance of 5.03m.
The momentum carried over into Saturday, where the Bulls dominated the competition with seven event wins.
Notable highlights included Terren Peterson’s victory in the women’s 400m, Nathan Metelus made history by setting a program record in the men’s 400m, while Markel Jones showcased his talent with a commanding win in the 60m hurdles.
The women’s team had standout performances from Zahria Allers-Liburd and Shaniya Benjamin, who both broke the program record in the women’s 200m final. Meanwhile, Jaleel Croal continued his stellar run by securing victory in the men’s 200m.
The Bulls concluded the championship in style, with both the men’s and women’s 4×400 relay teams clinching first place, further solidifying their dominance on the track.
With their sights set on the NCAA Indoor Championships in Boston, Mass., the Bulls will have a well-deserved week off to prepare for the next challenge on their journey.
