TAMPA, FLA., May 3, 2025 — South Florida track and field made a strong statement at the UNF East Coast Relays over the weekend, highlighted by a record-setting performance from Vincent Ugwoke in the men's discus throw.

Competing at Hodges Stadium in Jacksonville, Ugwoke shattered his own program record with a mark of 63.72 meters (209 feet, 0 inches), besting his previous best of 62.72m (205' 9") set earlier this season at the South Florida Invitational.

"Vincent continues to raise the bar," said Erik Jenkins, USF's Director of Track & Field and Cross Country. "His consistency, focus, and competitive mindset are a reflection of the work he puts in every day. This weekend was another big step forward for all of our athletes and our program."

Ugwoke's record headlined a weekend filled with other performances from the Bulls during the two-day meet.

Abdul-Rasheed Saminu had a solid showing in the sprints, taking first place in the men's 100-meter dash with a time of 10.06 seconds. He followed up with a second-place finish in the 200 meters, clocking in at 20.96 seconds.

In the hurdles, Madeline Abega won the women's 400-meter hurdles in 58.68 seconds, while Joshua Crum (51.35) and Darian Mills (51.45) went one-two in the men's 400-meter hurdles.

Tyra Thomas took fourth in the women's 100-meter hurdle finals with a time of 13.42 seconds, while Jason Nwosu earned second place honors in the men's shot put, throwing 17.28 meters (56' 8.50").

In the men's pole vault, Noah Bitter and Nikodem Pochopien tied for third place, each clearing 4.92 meters (16' 1.75").

The Bulls will look to build on their momentum as the conference and national championship portion of the outdoor season approaches.
Fans can access final results 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.
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