University of South Florida senior sprinter Jaleel Croal ran a wind-aided 9.75 seconds in the 100-meter dash on May 16 to win the event at the American Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships, tying for the third-fastest all-conditions time in NCAA history.
Croal’s mark stood as the fastest all-conditions time of the season until it was surpassed one day later by USC’s Eddie Nketia, who posted a 9.74 at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships. According to Track and Field News, Croal now shares his place in NCAA records with athletes such as Jordan Anthony and Andre De Grassé.
Croal has become a national-championship contender in an event previously won by Olympic medalists including Jesse Owens, John Carlos, Harvey Glance, Carl Lewis, Leroy Burrell, Justin Gatlin and Walter Dix. Each went on to achieve Olympic success after their collegiate careers. Croal is set to compete next at the NCAA East First Rounds from May 27-30 in Lexington, Kentucky; top finishers will advance to June’s NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
Reflecting on his career so far at USF—where he holds a program-record ten American Conference individual titles—Croal said, “I wanted to win a conference medal … any color. I won it (the first one) with a relay, so the next goal was winning an individual medal. I feel like I’ve accomplished everything in the conference and I’ve just wanted to stay on top. I cannot accomplish everything, but I have to say that I’ve come a long way, honestly.” Head coach Erik Jenkins said, “When he got here as a freshman, you could see that there was something special in that young man… I’m looking forward to him having a great future in the sport and life as a whole.” Teammate Kelsey Singleton added, “That man (Croal) is a leader and he has accomplished so much… He motivates me every single day. That guy is special.”
Last summer Croal competed internationally at Tokyo’s World Athletics Championships against Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo of Botswana but missed qualifying for finals by seven-hundredths of a second. At last season’s American Conference Outdoors meet he won three events—the 100 meters, 200 meters and 4×100 relay—and earned Most Outstanding Performer honors.
University of South Florida Athletics has produced Olympians representing multiple countries; captured numerous conference championships; promotes community involvement; features updated athletic venues; has earned national titles; and participates in the American Athletic Conference—all according to the official website.
