TAMPA, FLA., MARCH 7, 2025 — The University of South Florida distance team posted a series of impressive performances at the Tampa Distance Classic, hosted at Pepin Stadium by the University of Tampa.

Leading the way for the Bulls, Catalina Edwards secured a third-place finish in the women's 1500-meter race, crossing the line in 4:46.42. Teammates Cori Mac and Katelyn Thompson also delivered solid performances, finishing eighth (4:58.68) and 11th (5:02.31), respectively.

Victoria Valdez claimed victory in the 800-meter race, clocking a winning time of 2:13.21.

On the men's side, Sean Perry represented South Florida in the 5000-meter run, finishing in sixth place with a time of 14:56.59.

In the women's 5000-meter event, Hailey Cohen and Callie Wakefield both delivered competitive efforts. Cohen placed sixth with a time of 17:44.98, while Wakefield completed her race in 19:12.34.

"The team continues to make great progress as we transition through the outdoor season," said Erik Jenkins, Director of Track & Field and Cross Country. "We are seeing strong efforts across the board, and I am proud of the way our athletes are competing."

Fan can access final results HERE

Up Next:
The Bulls will aim to carry their momentum forward as they host back-to-back home meets with the South Florida Invitational on Friday, March 21, and Saturday, March 22.

For complete coverage of USF Track and Field, follow the Bulls on social media (Twitter | Instagram). 

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.