Women's Track Goes Back-to-Back as SSC Champs

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The University of Tampa men's and women's track programs delivered a historic performance at the 2026 Sunshine State Conference Outdoor Track Championships, held April 24–25 at the Embry‑Riddle Track & Field Complex, as the Spartan women claimed their second consecutive SSC title while the men captured the first outdoor conference championship in program history.

The men's team edged host Embry‑Riddle by four points to win the title with 114 points, powered by a dominant distance effort and key contributions across the sprints, hurdles, and relays. Zach Kehler led the way with one of the top individual performances of the meet, capturing three SSC titles in the 800 meters (1:51.7), 1,500 meters (3:48.1), and 5,000 meters (15:03.7). Kehler was supported by strong finishes from Josh Hindman, Cyron Gray, Elijiah Rivera, and William Poe, as Tampa consistently placed multiple athletes in the scoring positions.

Tampa also controlled the men's 3,000‑meter steeplechase, sweeping the top two spots as William Poe earned the conference title in 9:21.5, followed by Declan Fiorucci in 9:24.0, with Hayden Reich adding a fifth‑place finish. In the sprints, Jacob Khashou turned in a runner‑up finish in the 100 meters (10.36), while Calvin Jordan also scored in the event. The Spartans added pivotal points in the hurdles behind Luca Ruis and Rory Olsen, who placed third and fourth in the 400‑meter hurdles, and closed the meet with relay points in both the 4x100 and 4x400, sealing the historic title.

On the women's side, Tampa delivered another commanding championship performance, repeating as SSC champions with 169 points, the highest team total at the meet. The Spartans set the tone early in the distance events, highlighted by Hannah Diete's victory in the 1,500 meters (4:29.8). Tampa continued its dominance in the 5,000 meters, sweeping the podium as Emily Kriney won the conference title in 17:37.1, followed by Lindsey Volkman and Abby Tudeen in second and third.

The Spartans added key points in the 10,000 meters behind Camryn Sattler's third‑place finish, while the 3,000‑meter steeplechase again proved to be a strength as Mary Richmond claimed the conference title in 11:08.0, followed closely by Maddie Gordon in second. Tampa's hurdle group delivered one of the defining performances of the meet, as Allison Murphy won the 400‑meter hurdles (1:00.6) and was joined by Kate Carter, Madison Tweedie, Taylor Robinson, and Ava Stout, all finishing inside the top five. Murphy and Carter also scored heavily in the 100‑meter hurdles.

Tampa added additional points across the sprints and relays, including podium finishes in the women's 4x100 and 4x400, as the Spartans closed the weekend with their second straight SSC women's championship and a sweep of both team titles.

Team Standings

Men's Team Scores

1. Tampa – 114
2. Embry‑Riddle – 110
3. Florida Southern – 69
4. Lynn – 51
5. Nova Southeastern – 37
6. Florida Tech – 25
7. Saint Leo – 24
8. Barry – 22
9. Eckerd – 6
10. Palm Beach Atlantic – 6

Women's Team Scores

1. Tampa – 169
2. Embry‑Riddle – 103
3. Nova Southeastern – 79
4. Barry – 39
5. Lynn – 23
6. Florida Southern – 22
7. Saint Leo – 18
8. Palm Beach Atlantic – 11
9. Eckerd – 3

Sunshine State Conference Champions (Tampa)

Men

• 800 Meters: Zach Kehler – 1:51.7
• 1,500 Meters: Zach Kehler – 3:48.1
• 5,000 Meters: Zach Kehler – 15:03.7
• 3,000m Steeplechase: William Poe – 9:21.5

Women

• 1,500 Meters: Hannah Diete – 4:29.8
• 5,000 Meters: Emily Kriney – 17:37.1
• 3,000m Steeplechase: Mary Richmond – 11:08.0
• 400m Hurdles: Allison Murphy – 1:00.6