5 Reasons Why South Alabama Track And Field Is A National Powerhouse After The 2024 Championship Season
The University of South Alabama Track and Field program has officially entered a golden era, culminating in a historic 2024 campaign that saw the men's team capture a major conference title and an individual athlete win the ultimate prize in collegiate athletics. As of December 2025, the Jaguars are building on this unprecedented momentum, with a coaching staff and roster primed to dominate the Sun Belt Conference and make noise on the national stage once again.
The 2024 season was a landmark year for the Jaguars, highlighted by a massive national victory and a dominant team performance at the conference level. This success has cemented South Alabama's reputation as one of the premier programs in the Southeast, particularly in the competitive throwing events and sprints.
The Architects of Success: South Alabama Track & Field Leadership
The foundation of the Jaguars' recent success rests on a deeply experienced and specialized coaching staff, with Head Coach Paul Brueske leading the charge into his 18th season at the helm of the program. Brueske’s expertise in throwing events has directly contributed to the program’s national recognition.
- Head Coach / Throws: Paul Brueske
- Role: Head Coach for both Men's and Women's Track & Field, specializing in Throws.
- Notable Achievement: Named the 2024 Sun Belt Men's Coach of the Year after leading the team to the Outdoor Championship.
- Tenure: Entering his 19th season with the program and 18th as Head Coach.
- Cross Country Head Coach: Parker Cowles
- Role: Oversees the Cross Country program, which feeds the distance runners for the Track & Field team.
- Assistant Coach - Pole Vault / Middle: Lyndell Farmer
- Role: Focuses on two highly technical and competitive areas, crucial for scoring points at championship meets.
- Assistant Coach: Aaron James
- Role: Provides specialized support across various event groups, ensuring comprehensive athlete development.
The Unforgettable 2024 Season: A National Champion and a Team Title
The 2024 campaign will forever be etched in South Alabama history, delivering two of the program's most significant achievements. These victories showcase the caliber of athletes the Jaguars are attracting and developing under Coach Brueske’s leadership.
1. Francois Prinsloo: The NCAA Discus King
The single most significant achievement of the year came from senior thrower Francois Prinsloo. Prinsloo, a South African standout, claimed the 2024 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship title in the men's Discus Throw.
The championship performance took place in Eugene, Oregon, at the historic Hayward Field. Prinsloo’s winning throw was a massive 63.51 meters (208 feet, 4 inches), a mark that solidified his place as the best collegiate discus thrower in the nation for that season.
This national crown is a monumental accomplishment, elevating the South Alabama program's profile and demonstrating its elite status in throwing events, a testament to the coaching expertise of Paul Brueske.
2. Men's Sun Belt Conference Outdoor Championship
Just weeks before the national title, the South Alabama men's team secured the 2024 Sun Belt Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championship title. This victory, contested at the Groseclose Track at Brown Stadium in Monroe, Louisiana, marked only the second outdoor championship in program history.
The Jaguars dominated the field, compiling 143 total points to beat out strong competitors like Texas State and Louisiana. The team's success was broad-based, securing a total of four individual conference crowns and two relay titles, showcasing depth across multiple disciplines.
The team’s performance was a complete effort, with major contributions from athletes in sprints, jumps, and throws. Key performers like Jalen Boyd, Xavier Rogers, Javon Glen, and Cameron Stewart were instrumental in accumulating crucial points, especially in the relay and short-distance events.
The Path Forward: Key Athletes and the 2025 Outlook
The 2025 season promises to be another competitive year for the South Alabama Jaguars. With the core of the program's identity built on strength in the field events and speed on the track, the team will once again be a contender in the Sun Belt Conference.
3. Depth in the Sprints and Relays
While the throwing events garner national headlines, the men’s sprinting corps provides the necessary points for a team title. Athletes like Jalen Boyd and Xavier Rogers have consistently posted top-tier times, holding program records and ranking high in the conference. The focus on the 400-meter and relay events, where the team secured two conference crowns in 2024, remains a priority.
4. The Importance of the Jaguar Track Facility
The program’s success is also supported by its home base, Jaguar Track, in Mobile, Alabama. The facility is a vital asset, having been resurfaced to provide a world-class training and competition environment. Hosting events like the "South Alabama Last Chance Meet" allows the Jaguars to compete at home late in the season, optimizing performance before the NCAA East First Round.
5. The Women's Team Development
While the men’s team celebrated a championship, the women's program is focused on building its competitive profile. The women's team finished 12th at the 2024 Sun Belt Outdoor Championships. However, the program continues to develop talent, with athletes like Latiana Acker making an impact in the 400-meter events. The coaching staff is dedicated to elevating the women's team to the same championship-contending status as the men's team, focusing on recruiting and developing talent across all event groups, including the middle distance and pole vault led by Coach Lyndell Farmer.
Conclusion: A New Standard for South Alabama Athletics
The South Alabama Track and Field program, under the guidance of Coach Paul Brueske, has established a new standard for excellence. The combination of a team conference championship and an individual NCAA national title in 2024 is a clear signal that the Jaguars are no longer just a regional threat but a program capable of achieving national prominence. With the 2025 schedule already set, the focus now shifts to defending the Sun Belt title and qualifying more athletes for the NCAA Championships, further solidifying their position as a national powerhouse in collegiate track and field.
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