Bulls collect multiple event titles and podium finishes while earning Coaching Staff of the Year and sweeping Freshman of the Year honors
Birmingham, Ala., Feb. 28, 2026 – The University of South Florida track and field program built on their two first-place finishes and multiple podium performances from day one, turning a tightly contested team race into a fifth consecutive American Indoor Championship.
After entering the final day in second place, South Florida delivered in the moments that mattered most. Conference titles in the sprints, record-breaking performances in the distance events and critical scoring across the board propelled the Bulls back to the top of the standings.
The team race tightened throughout the competition, with momentum swinging between South Florida and Wichita State. Ultimately, the Bulls’ depth and clutch performances secured the five-peat, finishing ahead of the Shockers by 2.5 points to extend their conference dominance.
AWARDS:
Lilah Versluis was named the American Freshman of the Year after contributing key points on the women’s side. She placed fifth in the triple jump with a mark of 12.29 meters and added a seventh-place finish in the high jump, clearing 1.70 meters to support the Bulls’ overall team performance.
On the men’s side, Alesandro Cardoso-Williams earned American Freshman of the Year honors following a standout championship showing. He captured the conference title in the long jump with a mark of 7.50 meters and added a fourth-place finish in the triple jump at 15.21 meters, delivering critical points toward the team title.
South Florida’s success was further recognized as the Bulls were named the American Coaching Staff of the Year, highlighting the program’s sustained excellence and leadership behind its its consecutive conference championship.
HIGHLIGHTS:
One Mile:
Karim Belmahdi beat the personal best he set in prelims, clocking 4:03.72 to set a new program record, break the facility record and finish third overall.
400m:
Following their 1-2-3-4 sweep in prelims, the Bulls sealed it in the 400m final. Alexavier Monfries captured gold in a personal-best 46.34, with Nathan Metelus, Shevioe Reid and Kelsey Singleton finishing second through fourth to secure a dominant sweep.
200m:
Jaleel Croal took first place with a time of 20.89.
Nathan Metelus added a third place finish in 21.00, and Alexavier Monfries placed fourth in 21.07.
60m (M):
Jaleel Croal sprinted to gold in 6.66, securing another conference title for the Bulls.
Terrell Robinson Jr. added points with a fifth place finish in 6.79.
60m Hurdles:
Doris Quainoo claimed third place with a time of 8:30.
800m:
Mercy Angaamchaab clocked a time of 2:09.65 to take third place.
Field Events Results:
| Event / Day | Athlete | Place | Mark | Notes |
| High Jump (W) | Lilah Versluis | 7th | 1.70m | |
| Shot Put (M) | Kaden Banks | 6th | 16.57m | |
| Triple Jump (W) | Zayin Roe | 4th | 12.58m | |
| Lilah Versluis | 5th | 12.29m | ||
| Nischa King | 7th | 12.16m | ||
| Long Jump (M) | Alesandro Cardoso-Williams | 4th | 15.21m | |
| LaQuan Ellis | 12th | 14.58m | ||
| Shot Put (W) | Esteisy Salas | 10th | 13.77m | |
| Alexandria Jefferson | 16th | 13.48m |
Track Events Results:
| Event | Athlete | Place | Time | Notes |
| One Mile (M) | Karim Belmahdi | 3rd | 4:03.72 | Program Record PB |
| Nicolas Dovalovsky | 12th | 4:23.60 | ||
| 400m (W) | Skyler Watts | 6th | 54.13 | |
| 400m (M) | Alexavier Monfries | 1st | 46.34 | PB |
| Nathan Metelus | 2nd | 46.64 | ||
| Shevioe Reid | 3rd | 46.76 | ||
| Kelsey Singleton | 4th | 46.81 | ||
| 60m Hurdles (W) | Doris Quainoo | 3rd | 8.30 | |
| Gianna Hansen | 7th | 8.79 | ||
| 60m Hurdles (M) | Will “Jaiden” Smith | 4th | 7.87 | PB |
| Kahiem Carby | 6th | 7.91 | ||
| 60m (W) | Lynette Scutari | 7th | 7.45 | |
| 60m (M) | Jaleel Croal | 1st | 6.66 | |
| Terrell Robinson Jr. | 5th | 6.79 | ||
| 800m (W) | Mercy Angaamchaab | 3rd | 2:09.65 | |
| 800m (M) | Karim Belmahdi | 7th | 1:53.76 | |
| 200m (W) | Skyler Watts | 4th | 23.94 | |
| 200m (M) | Jaleel Croal | 1st | 20.89 | |
| Nathan Metelus | 3rd | 21.00 | ||
| Alexavier Monfries | 4th | 21.07 | ||
| Shevioe Reid | 8th | 31.42 | ||
| 3000m (W) | Delaney Stephens | 32nd | 10:02.10 | |
| Hailey Cohen | 34th | 10:03.13 | ||
| Caroline Irvin | 49th | 10:57.57 | ||
| 4x400m (W) | Skyler Watts, Sa’Nijah Houston,Malaysia Johnson,Sasha Salwonchuk | 5th | 3:40.93 | |
| 4x400m Relay (M) | Devontie Archer,Kelsey Singleton,Nathan Metelus,Alexavier Monfries | 2nd | 3:10.19 |
UP NEXT:
The Bulls now await official selections to see who will advance to the NCAA Indoor Championships in Fayetteville, Ark., March 13–14.
ABOUT USF TRACK AND FIELD
The USF men’s track and field team captured back-to-back American Athletic Conference Indoor Championships in 2024 and 2025 and also claimed the 2024 AAC Outdoor Championship. This past season, 10 Bulls athletes earned All-America honors, including Shevioe Reid, Shaniya Benjamin, Gabriel Moronta, Nathan Metelus, Terren Peterson, Amenda Saint Louis, Abdul-Rasheed Saminu, Goodness Iredia, Zahria Allers-Liburd, and Tre’Sean Bouis. Additionally, Romaine Beckford represented USF by winning the 2023 NCAA indoor and outdoor national titles in the men’s high jump.
The Bulls’ achievements extended to individual accolades, with Saminu Abdul-Rasheed earning the 2025 Indoor Most Valuable Performer award and Nikodem Pochopien being named Freshman of the Year. The USF coaching staff also received high honors, earning the AAC Indoor Staff of the Year award in both 2024 and 2025. USF boasts a remarkable track record, with 56 All-America selections and at least one All-American honoree in 10 of the past 12 years. In 2021, eight athletes combined for 11 All-America distinctions. Tampa native Shaniya Benjamin set a program milestone by earning three All-America honors during the 2021 outdoor season, while triple jumper Matthew O’Neal, a 2016 graduate, became USF’s first six-time NCAA All-American. Since 2013, USF has produced two NCAA runner-up finishes: O’Neal in the triple jump (2016) and Courtney Anderson in the high jump (2013). Head coach Erik Jenkins, who took over in July 2019, has played a key role in the program’s success, guiding USF to seven program records and 40 top-10 all-time program marks during the 2021 outdoor season. USF has also hosted major track and field events at its USF Track & Field Stadium, including the 2018 NCAA East Preliminary and the AAC Outdoor Championships in 2021 and 2023.
– #GoBulls –
