The University of South Florida track and field team is trading the Florida humidity for the California sun this weekend. The Bulls have officially arrived in Walnut, California, to compete in the prestigious Mt. SAC Relays, a premier fixture on the collegiate circuit known for pitiless competition and elite performance standards.
The action kicks off Friday, April 17, and runs through Saturday at Hilmer Lodge Stadium. Because the Mt. SAC Relays operate on an invite-only basis, the Bulls will be lining up against a select field of top-ranked programs and nationally-recognized athletes in the Collegiate Division.
USF enters the meet with significant momentum and several athletes sitting at the top of the American Athletic Conference (AAC) leaderboards.
On the men’s side, the sprint group remains a focal point. Nathan Metelus travels to California fresh off earning his first career American Conference Men’s Track Athlete of the Week honor.
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Metelus recently clocked a personal-best 45.80 in the 400 meters, a time that currently ranks him 19th in the NCAA. He joins teammate Kelsey Singleton in a high-powered 400m duo; Singleton’s season-best of 45.43 leads the AAC and ranks 9th nationally.
The Bulls’ depth extends across multiple disciplines:
- Sprints: Jaleel Croal heads into the weekend with a 10.14-second 100-meter dash, the second-fastest time in the conference.
- Middle Distance: Karim Belmahdi leads the AAC in the 800 meters after posting a personal-best 1:48.05.
- Field Events: Pole vaulters Nikodem Pochopien and Payton Pitts both lead the conference with 5.30m clearances.
The women’s squad brings its own set of conference leaders to Walnut. Mercy Angaamchaab currently holds the top spot in the AAC for the 800 meters (2:09.04). In the field, the Bulls are led by Zayin Roe, who ranks second in the conference in the triple jump (12.54m), and Esteisy Salas Lozano, who sits third in the AAC in the shot put (15.63m).
High jumper Lilah Versluis and hammer thrower Annalee Harbison also look to build on personal-best marks set earlier this season at the Florida Relays.
Following two days of collegiate, elite, and distance carnival sections, the Bulls will look to solidify their regional and national rankings as the outdoor season moves into its high-stakes mid-point.
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