The USC Sumter Track and Field team has made significant strides this inaugural season, earning national recognition in various events. Competing in the NJCAA Division I, the team has demonstrated exceptional talent and dedication, leading to impressive performances and rankings. The team has been lead by the one-two combination of Kelsey Jones and Brandon Singletary. Both athletes are neck and neck in almost every event. Kelsey has person records of 10.81 in the 100m, 21.81 in the 200m and 50.78 in the 400m. Brandon has nearly identical times of 10.78 in the 100m, 21.82 in the 200m and 49.73 in the 400m. Their times place them both in the top 100 athletes in each event nationally. Other standout athletes have been Tariq Jones in the 400m (51.08) and 200m (22.51), Joshua Stradford in the 400m (50.99) and Aiden Newkirk and Isaiah Chaisson in the 100m (11.07 and 11.18, respectively).

The depth of the team in all three of these events have resulted in USC Sumter being nationally ranked in the top 20 in all three event rankings (18th in the 100, 18th in the 200, and 17th in the 400). Overall, the team is ranked 13th in the Atlantic Region ? for polling, the country is divided into four regions: Atlantic, Central, Midwest and West.

The relay teams have also shone brightly this season. The 4x100 meter relay team, consisting of Malik Myers, Isaiah Chaisson, Kelsey Jones, and Brandon Singletary, recorded a time of 43.33 seconds in windy conditions; which currently ranks 24th in the country. The 4x400 meter relay team, featuring Tariq Jones, Brandon Singletary, Kelsey Jones, and Joshua Stradford, achieved a time of 3:28.17, securing a 21st place national ranking.

In the field events, Edouard Franck has made his mark in the triple jump with a distance of 12.97 meters. The Belgian freshman has also jumped 6.05m in the long jump, making him the teams second highest point scorer after Kelsey Jones.

The middle distance combination of Irvin Forkpa, Javier Reynolds and Kamari Jackson have made impressive strides this season and are looking forward to closing strong over the remaining meets, despite battling a series of injuries.

For the women?s team, Bahamian Freshman T?Najeh Duncombe leads the Fire Ants in both points scored and time. She has been the team?s leader in the sprints, providing standout times in the 100m and 200m sprints. Sontee China has lead the team?s throwing effort with strong efforts in both the shot and discus.

The USC Sumter Track and Field team has three remaining meets and is poised to break even more ground. This weekend the Fire Ants will face tough competition as they travel across the Midlands to the USC Gamecock Invitational where they will face some of the top collegiate track talent in the country. Next they will compete at South Carolina State?s Sharonda Coleman-Singleton Classic. Their last meet will be in North Carolina at the Lenoir-Rhyne Bears Open.

For more information, visit the US Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association national rankings page: https://www.ustfccca.org/team-rankings-polls-central/njcaa-team-rankings or the team?s Athletic.net page: https://www.athletic.net/team/82176/track-and-field-outdoor/2025