The University of South Florida track and field team delivered a strong showing on day two of the 2025 American Athletic Conference Outdoor Championships, highlighted by another record-breaking performance from hurdler Markel Jones.
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Jones ran a time of 13.64 seconds in the 110-meter hurdles, breaking his own program record in the event for the second time this season. His previous record of 13.66 was set on March 22 at the Alumni Invitational. The performance marked Jones’ fourth individual program record of the year and secured him a spot in Saturday’s event final, where he will be joined by teammate Michael Bourne III.
In the men’s shot put, Jason Nwosu earned a silver medal with a throw of 17.29m (56′ 8.75″), becoming the second Bulls thrower to reach the podium during championship weekend. On the women’s side, Madeline Dutz cleared 4.02m (13′ 2.25″) in the pole vault to secure a third-place finish and a bronze medal. Teammate Ella Dolce finished just behind in fourth place with a mark of 3.92m (12′ 10.75″).
The women’s long jump also saw a standout performance from Nischa King, who posted a personal-best leap of 5.98m (19′ 7.5″) to earn a sixth-place finish.
Several Bulls qualified for Saturday’s finals in a variety of events. In the women’s 100m hurdles, Doris Quainoo, Tyra Thomas, and Gianna Hansen each secured qualifying times. In addition to Markel Jones and Michael Bourne III advancing in the men’s 110m hurdles, Amenda Saint Louis qualified for the women’s 800m final, and Karim Belmahdi advanced in the men’s 800m.
In the women’s 400m dash, Rushana Dwyer, Terren Peterson, and Skyler Watts each earned lanes in Saturday’s finals. The men’s 100m saw Jaleel Croal, Terrell Robinson Jr., and Shomari Pettigrew all advance as well.
The Bulls will return to action on Saturday for the final day of the AAC Outdoor Championships at Irwin Belk Track.
Newly events scheduled include the 4×400-meter relays, men’s pole vault, and discus throw, which will all make their first appearance of the weekend.
The meet is being broadcast live on ESPN+.
Fans can access all results HERE and meet information HERE.
ESPN+ Links
Saturday –https://www.espn.com/watch/player?id=6a7ea6bb-213a-4a21-947b-68744ab24d77
For complete coverage of USF Track and Field, follow the Bulls on social media (Twitter | Instagram).
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.
