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MTF 2026 Indoor Conference Champions

Men's Track & Field Claims 2026 SSAC Indoor Championship

02.21.26

By: Davis Barlow: Assistant Sports Information Director
NEED TO KNOW:
Top 3 Teams: 
1st: Life U - 223
2nd: William Carey - 185.50
3rd: Mobile - 90.50
 
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Life University men's track and field team claimed the 2026 SSAC Indoor Championships title this past Saturday. At the conclusion of the two-day meet, the Running Eagles boasted 223 points while William Carey placed second (185.50) and Mobile placed third (90.50).

DAY 1:

Greyson Myers became the first of many conference champions for the Running Eagles early Friday afternoon, winning the men's pole vault. His final height of 4.40m placed him nearly a meter and a half ahead of second place.

Winston Sanders turned in a brilliant performance in the men's weight throw to take home the gold. On his second toss of the event, Sanders launched a 19.38m toss, recording an NAIA A-Standard. Darius Barge placed second (16.90m) while Christian Dixon placed third (16.49m) as Life U completed the podium sweep. Additionally, Akinwale Dare placed fourth (15.82m) and Chase Holbrook took home sixth (14.44m).

Abedelemejid Kerebo became the first track athlete to take home a championship on the weekend, winning the men's 800m. Kerebo turned in a time of 1:53.14, narrowly holding off teammate Arthur Drugeon who ran a 1:53.34. Additionally, Justin Ducote placed sixth with a time of 1:55.26.
 

Khalil Carr earned all-conference honors in the men's long jump, recording a best distance of 6.89m and placing third overall. Teammate Jacoby Puckett recorded a best jump of 6.56m, placing sixth.

In the men's 400m, Sean Hewitt earned podium honors for his third place time of 48.74 while narrowly missing a B-Standard. Teammate Alejandro Ramos Veglio placed sixth in the event (49.34).

Elie Penitzka took home silver in the men's 5000m, running a 15:21.88. 

In the men's 200m, Sammy Samuel placed seventh with a time of 21.99.

Capping off the first day of action, Julien Jansen, Abedeleselam Kerebo, Lasse Klopprogge and Alejandro Ramos Veglio combined for a 10:28.94 in the men's DMR to take home gold.

DAY 2:

Christian Dixon opened Day 2 on the field side with a first-place finish in the men's shot put. With a best toss of 16.13m on his third throw, the distance marks an NAIA B-Standard. Teammate Darius Barge placed second in the event, also with a B-Standard toss of 15.94m. Akinwale Dare earned fifth place (13.71m).
 

In the men's high jump, Keondre Glover recorded an A-Standard mark of 2.07m, winning him the event. Teammate Braden Deal placed third with a height of 2.01m while Noam Boulanger placed eighth (1.89m).

The track morning kicked off with the men's 4x800m relay as Arthur Drugeon, Josh McKinlay, Justin Ducote and Abedelemejid Kerebo took home first place with a combined time of 7:54.18.
 

In the men's 3000m, McKinlay picked up his second gold of the day, winning the event with a time of 8:38.46. Teammates Elie Penitzka (8:48.80) and Julien Jansen (8:55.73) placed fourth and fifth respectively. McKinlay went on to claim his third gold of the meet later in the day, winning the men's mile with a time of 4:23.45. 

Running an NAIA B-Standard, Drugeon took home gold in the men's 600m with a time of 1:20.39. The race came down to the final meters as the freshman held off second place by just .05 seconds.

Abedeleselam Kerebo (2:31.95) and Abedelemejid Kerebo (2:31.99) placed back-to-back in the men's 1000m, taking home second and third place in the event. Just .04 seconds separated the brother's times.

In the men's 60m dash finals, Samuel Piquant took home sixth place (6.96) while Sammy Samuel claimed eighth (7.04).

Closing out the meet, Khalil Carr, Abedelemejid Kerebo, Alejandro Ramos Veglio and Sean Hewitt turned in an NAIA B-Standard in the men's 4x400m relay, placing second (3:17.90).

UP NEXT:
--The Running Eagles prepare to send all qualified athletes back to Gainesville for the 2026 Indoor National Championship, beginning on Thursday, March 5.
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