VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., MARCH 14, 2025 — The University of South Florida track & field team delivered a historic performance at the 2025 NCAA Indoor National Championships, breaking program records and earning a national runner-up finish.

Abdul-Rasheed Saminu set a new program record in the 60-meter dash with a time of 6.55 seconds, surpassing the 6.57 mark that qualified him for nationals. His performance secured a spot in the finals, which will be broadcast on ESPN+ tomorrow at 6:10 p.m. ET.

Kobe Babin capped off his collegiate career in spectacular fashion, finishing as the national runner-up in pole vault and becoming USF's first-ever indoor First Team All-American in the event. Babin set back-to-back program records, clearing 5.61m (18-4.75) and then 5.66m (18-6.75), which also marked a facility record. His achievement placed him ahead of competitors from programs like Virginia Tech, Nebraska, Kansas, and Texas A&M.

"I'm incredibly proud of Abdul-Rasheed and Kobe for their outstanding performances on the national stage," said Erik Jenkins, USF Director of Track & Field and Cross Country. "Kobe's historic finish and Abdul-Rasheed's electrifying speed reflect the hard work and dedication these athletes have put in all season."

Fans who subscribe to ESPN+ can access tomorrow's stream HERE

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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.