Athlete Name: Chloe Byrd
Year in school: Graduate student
Major: Public Health – Health Promotion and Behavior
Previous School: University of North Caroline Wilmington
Hometown: Seoul, South Korea
Event/Personal Bests: 5,000m – 18:22 | 10,000m – 37:41
 

1. Why did you decide to attend the University of South Florida?

USF was the first school that was welcoming and additionally is a top-rated public health institution.

2. What has been the best aspect of being part of South Florida's Track & Field teams so far?

Seeing the different event groups earn success in each of their area of specialties.

3. What has been the biggest challenge you have come across since your arrival at USF?

Adapting to a new school, and the different workload from undergrad, to graduate school.

4. What has surprised you the most about the University of South Florida?

I was surprised by how many resources are available for the student athletes.

5. What do you do away from practice and studying to relax?

Visit the beach and take my dog on drives to fun and different places to explore.

6. What is your favorite place in Tampa?

Hyde Park!
 
Favorite event: 5,000m
Favorite song or musician: Drake
Favorite movie: Unbroken
Favorite workout: 2k, 1600m, 800m, 400m
Favorite food: Coffee
Favorite Track and Field memory: Running my 10,000m personal best at ECU. It was a small event with two other girls and a small group of spectators at the track who were cheering, and each girl in the race was working together.
 
 
 
About USF Track and Field
The USF track and field team has earned 56 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. Romaine Beckford won the 2023 NCAA Indoor Championship in the men's high jump. 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.