MEET: UAB Blazer Invitational
DATE: Friday, Jan. 13
LOCATION: Birmingham CrossPlex, Birmingham, Ala.
MEET SCHEDULE
LIVE RESULTS
By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer
TAMPA, JAN. 12, 2017 – More than 40 Bulls get to test out the site of the American Athletic Conference Indoor Championships in USF's 2017 season opener.
USF will compete against 16 programs at the indoor UAB Blazer Invitational on Friday at the Birmingham CrossPlex. Head coach Warren Bye's Bulls will chase after conference glory back at the venue Feb. 24-25.
“Our goal is to go out every day and improve upon what we are working on in our development process,” Bye said. “Our student-athletes have to stay focused and be mentally tough, as they work through the process on a daily basis.”
Daily development will be vital for both USF squads that feature lots of young talent and Bulls looking to earn another trip to the NCAA Championship.
On the men's side, USF has brought in eight freshmen and 17 of the 25 Bulls competing this spring are underclassmen. Junior David Akins (pole vault) and sophomore Errol D'angelo Ennis (triple jump) will lead the group after qualifying for the NCAA Championship in 2016.
“It will be fun to watch the team develop over the course of the indoor and outdoor seasons,” Bye added. “Our staff has their work cut out for them to prepare this group to be able to compete at the conference and national levels.”
Despite being a young team, the USF men still have a good amount of experience with nine returners who scored points at last season's conference meet – Akins, Ennis, Zach Diaczynsky (hammer), David Bell (pole vault), Michael Babinec (3k steeplechase), Charvin Graham (hammer, discus), Cody Chernoff (pole vault), Joe Fogarasi (pole vault) and Dae Young Yoon (4x100 relay).
NCAA qualifier and senior Bernicia Holifield (hammer) will help lead the women's team that returns nine student-athletes with all-time USF top-10 marks.
Senior Sophia Brown (pole vault) is one of five returners who gained conference championship experience in 2016, along with senior Mira Carrozza (javelin), senior Brandi Lucas and sophomore Mikeia Pooler in combined events, and sophomore Jessica Taylor (5k).
Friday's action begins with the 5,000-meter run and the men's high jump at 11 a.m. (EST). Bulls scheduled to compete are listed below.
Women
Yaranel Abreu, mile, DMR
Shencia Baziel, 300m, 4x4
Jamie Brenner, pole vault
Nicole Carroll, pole vault
Khadeeja Dooling, 60H, DMR, 4x4
Chelsea Francis, 60, 300, 4x4
Kaytlyn Gill, long jump, triple jump
Michaela Hedderman, 4x4
Bernicia Holifield, weight throw
Stephanie Lambeth, pole vault
Sara Leary, mile, DMR
Brandi Lucas, shot put
Jada Massie, 60, 300
Mikeia Pooler, 60H, long jump, high jump, shot put
Reide Ryans, high jump
Kennedy Shank, pole vault
Amanda Sinkler, pole vault
Jessica Taylor, 5k, DMR
Melissa Westmoreland, mile, DMR
Ashley Wilson, weight throw
Men
David Akins, pole vault
Michael Babinec, 5k, DMR
Paul Barrett, 60H, DMR, 4x4
David Bell, pole vault
Cody Chernoff, pole vault
Jonah Daniels, long jump
Zach Diaczynsky, shot put, weight throw
Errol D'angelo Ennis, triple jump
Joe Fogarasi, pole vault
Yohance Haynes, 500, DMR
Luke Lafferty, long jump, 300, 4x4
Derwin Moultrie, 500, DMR
Mitchell Mueller, pole vault
Maurice Nock, 60, 300
Bruce Robinson, shot put, weight throw
Raekwon Scott, 60H, high jump, 4x4
David “Cash” Tampa, mile, DMR
Tequon Terry, 60, 4x4
Curtis Thomas, 60
Dae Young Yoon, 300
About USF Track and Field
Led by 11th-year head coach Warren Bye, the USF track and field team has produced 21 All-Americans (eight men, 13 women) since 2000 and at least one All-American in nine of the last 10 years. Recent graduate Matthew O'Neal is USF's first six-time NCAA All-American. The Bulls return all-conference performer David Akins (pole vault) and Michael Babinec (steeplechase), as well as NCAA qualifier Bernicia Holifield (hammer throw). USF hosts the Bulls Invitational March 17-18 and the USF Invitational April 21-22. USF is home to the 2018 NCAA Track and Field East Preliminary.
– #GoBulls –
