USF Athletics

Bulls Add Championship-Level Experience for 2018-19

November 28, 2017

By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer

TAMPA, NOV. 28, 2017 – USF track and field has added championship-level experience for next season.

Head coach Warren Bye has announced the signings of two state champions and one state runner-up in Melvin Briley, Danny Ferro and Hunter Hummel.

"Signing state champions obviously puts us in a better position to compete in the American Athletic Conference and at the NCAA Championships," Bye said. "Winning conference and national championships is what we are here to do."

Briley is an incoming freshman from Oakleaf High School in Jacksonville who captured the state triple jump title earlier this year with a best jump of 49-7. Briley is the top returning jumper in the state of Florida for 2018 and he's the fourth-ranked returner in the United States.

Ferro will head to USF from Calvary Christian Academy in Fort Lauderdale as the state's 2017 800-meter champion with a best time of 1:54.07 in the event. Ferro is the No. 4 returner in the state for the 2018 season and will assist the Bulls in middle-distance events in 2018-19. The incoming freshman has a top time of 9:30.90 in the 3,200 meters.

"These young men know what winning is all about and they understand what it takes to be a champion," Bye said.

Hummel is a huge get for the Bulls when it comes to throwing talent. The incoming freshman out of Celebration High School in Kissimmee, Fla., is the top-ranked prep returner in the state for 2018 in the discus. Hummel earned runner-up honors in the event at the 2017 state meet with a top throw of 172-10.

"With the signing of these three young men, it continues our goal of creating a winning culture in our track and field programs," Bye said. "At the same time, we want to see them succeed in the classroom and contribute in the community. Earning their degree is something we expect them to achieve while they are here at the University of South Florida."
 
About USF Track and Field
Led by 13th-year head coach Warren Bye, the USF track and field team has produced 21 All-Americans (eight men, 13 women) since 2000 and at least one All-American in nine of the last 10 years. 2016 graduate Matthew O'Neal is USF's first six-time NCAA All-American. The Bulls are home to the 2018 NCAA Track and Field East Preliminary.