USF Track and Field’s Davila and Walker Qualify for NCAA Nationals
BLOOMINGTON, Ind., May 28, 2022 – The University of South Florida track and field team completed the fourth day of the NCAA East Preliminary rounds in Bloomington, Ind., with a new 4x100 relay season-best and two more qualifications to the NCAA finals in Eugene, Ore.
"This is a tough meet and you can expect everyone's best effort," said head coach Erik Jenkins, "Our student athletes did a good job competing and we certainly know what we can improve. I am excited for the four individuals who have a chance to compete in the NCAA Championship final round."
Shaneylix Davila (Kissimmee, Fla.) placed eighth in the 100 hurdles with a time of 13.22, earning her a spot at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene. Hannah Connell (Bridgetown, Barbados) posted a 13.65 and finished in 23rd position.
Sanique Walker (Manchester, Jamaica) finished in 11th position with 57.79 in the 400 hurdles quarterfinals, improving her personal-best time from 58.24 and punching her ticket to Eugene for nationals as well. Zahria Allers-Liburd (Miami, Fla.), Shaniya Benjamin (Tampa, Fla.), Connell and Kadesha Prescott (Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago) started out the fourth day of competition in the women's 4x100 meter relay, nearly qualifying for championship finals in 13th with a 44.22 lap. Their previous season best was 44.66.
To wrap up the final day of competition, Walker, Benjamin, Connell, and Patricija Roshofa (Limbazi, Latvia) posted 3:40:04 and finished in 17th position in the women's 4x400 relay.
Davila and Walker join Romaine Beckford (Portland, Jamaica), who qualified in the high jump, and Shaniya Benjamin (Tampa, Fla.), who reached on the long jump, as USF's qualifications to Eugene. The national championship meet will run 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 –
