Bourne Breaks Record as USF Track and Field Completes First Day of NCAA East Prelims
BLOOMINGTON, Ind., May 25, 2022 – The University of South Florida track and field team wrapped up the first day of the four-day NCAA East Preliminary rounds in Bloomington, Ind., with a record falling to highlight the day.
Michael Bourne III (Midlothian, Va.) broke USF's 110-meter hurdle record with a 13.91 in his heat. Bourne passed the previous record of 13.94 set by Glenn Fowler in 2009.
Later throughout the day,
Stone Baker (New Port Richey, Fla.) nearly missed his second consecutive season of advancing to the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Ore., finishing in 15
th place by posting a 5.19 meter (17-0.25) jump in the pole vault.
David Ajama (Lowell, Mass.) completed the first of his two events throughout the competition in the long jump. Ajama finished in 34
th place with a leap of 7.17 meters (23-6.25).
Elijah Wright (Naples, Fla.) posted 47.70 meters (47.663), finishing in 37
th and wrapping up the first day of competition in the first round of the men's 400-meter dash.
Eron Carter (Palatka, Fla.) opened the meet for USF in the men's hammer competition, placing in 42
nd with a throw of 56.88 meters (186-7).
On Thursday,
Shaniya Benjamin (Tampa, Fla.) and
Kendall McDaniel (Loganville, Fa.) start things off at 2 p.m. in the women's long jump while
Shaneylix Davila (Kissimmee, Fla.) and
Hannah Connell (Bridgetown, Barbados) run in the 100-meter hurdles at the same time.
Sanique Walker (Manchester, Jamaica) closes out the day in the women's 400-meter hurdles at 4:20 p.m.
Twelve in each individual event and 12 relay teams at the East Prelims will advance to the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon from June 8-11.
About USF Track and Field
The USF track and field team has earned 54 All-America selections and at least one All-American in 10 of the last 12 years, including a record eight athletes claiming 11 honors in 2021. Tampa native Shaniya Benjamin set a program record earning three All-American honors during the 2021 outdoor season, while triple jumper Matthew O'Neal, a 2016 graduate, became USF's first six-time NCAA All-American. Bulls have posted two NCAA runner-up finishes since 2013 - O'Neal (triple jump, 2016) and Courtney Anderson (high jump, 2013). Head coach Erik Jenkins took over the program in 2020 and in the 2021 outdoor season the Bulls posted seven program records and 40 top 10 all-time program marks. USF hosted the 2018 NCAA Track and Field East Preliminary and the 2021 AAC Outdoor Championship at the USF Track and Field Stadium located on the east end of campus.
– #GoBulls –
