The Jaguars hosted their annual South Alabama Invitational meet in Birmingham, Alabama, on Sunday, Feb. 4. As the University of South Alabama does not have an indoor track on campus, the event was held in the Birmingham CrossPlex. There were an outstanding number of achievements by the athletes, including record-breaking performances and seven events won by the Jaguars.

South Alabama showcased its prowess yet again, with stand-out performances across various disciplines, leaving spectators in awe. The field events produced stellar performances with an impressive new school record in the shot put. Sebastian Loschner threw 66 meters (57 feet 11 ¼ inches) to take first place in the event. Samuel Mika took fifth place in the shot put with a new personal record toss of 16.10 meters (52 feet 10 inches).

In the women’s events, Bodine Degli-Umberti demonstrated her exceptional talent by claiming victory in the shot put with an impressive throw of 18.85 meters, dominating the field. Additionally, Degli-Umberti showcased her versatility by earning second place in the shot put with a formidable throw of 14.73 meters.

Meanwhile, Dorian Curry asserted his dominance in the high jump, capturing his second win of the year with a remarkable leap of 2.11 meters. Curry’s stellar performance marked his ninth career victory at South Alabama, further cementing his legacy as one of the university’s most decorated athletes.

Not to be outdone, Kyle Rademeyer showcased his prowess in the pole vault, claiming his third first-place finish of the indoor season with a massive jump of 5.55 meters. Rademeyer’s impressive performance not only secured victory but also solidified his position as one of the top athletes in the NCAA Division I Track and Field rankings.

The Jaguars also showcased their depth in the women’s pole vault, with Alexis Gratia and Ina Edstrom securing first and second place, respectively. Gratia’s clearance of 3.95 meters earned her the top spot in the event and a place in the Jaguars record books, while Edstrom’s jump of 3.80 meters secured her a well-deserved second-place finish.

In the triple jump, Iyana Johnson continued her stellar indoor season with a commanding victory, leaping to a distance of 12.11 meters.

On the track, South Alabama continued to excel, with standout performances in the 60-meter and 60-meter hurdles. Latiana Acker’s blazing time of 7.59 seconds earned her third place in the 60 meters, tying the indoor school record in the process. Additionally, Kendal White showcased his talent in the 60-meter hurdles, setting a new personal best with a time of 8.138 seconds.

In the distance events, Xavier Johnson led the charge for the Jaguars with a blistering time of 14:39.33 in the 5000 meters, securing first place by a significant margin. Meanwhile, Clervie Chagot secured her personal record in the same event, finishing third with a time of 18:12.34.

Rachel Hunter and Charleen Elizondo rounded out the impressive performances for South Alabama, with Hunter earning a new personal record in the women’s 400 meters (57.05) and Elizondo securing second place in the women’s mile (5:08.75).

Overall, South Alabama’s track and field team demonstrated its depth and talent across various events. The Jaguars are poised for continued success as they look ahead to future competitions and have confidently positioned themselves as a force to be reckoned with in collegiate track and field.