2026 SSC Outdoor Track Championships: Florida Southern and Tampa Lead After Day 1

2026 SSC Outdoor Track Championships: Florida Southern and Tampa Lead After Day 1

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Four performances rank in the top 20 in Division II.

Founded in 1975, Sunshine State Conference member institutions have won a total of 138 NCAA national championships across 15 sports and boast an NCAA Division II leading 89% Academic Success Rate. In 2025-26, the SSC marks its 50th anniversary, reflecting on a proud history of athletic and academic excellence.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Sunshine State Conference 2026 Track Championship began Friday afternoon at the ERAU Track & Field Complex, marking the conference’s second-ever track championship. Expanding from last year, the event has evolved into a two-day meet. Much of Friday’s action featured preliminary rounds, though student-athletes competed in four finals: the men’s and women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase and the men’s and women’s 10,000-meter run. 

Individual Champions  

  • Men’s 3000m Steeplechase: William Poe, Tampa (9:21.48) 

  • Women’s 3000m Steeplechase: Mary Richmond, Tampa (11:08.00) 

  • Men’s 10000m: Christopher Colavita, Florida Southern (30:45.74) 

  • Women’s 10000m: Leena Saidi, Nova Southeastern (36:40.53) 

Notable Performances 

  • Derick Brown, Embry-Riddle, ran 13.84 in the 110-meter hurdles, the No. 8 time in NCAA Division II. 

  • Evan Joseph, Lynn, posted a time of 46.84 in the 400 meters, ranking No. 20 in NCAA Division II. 

  • Taylor Roth, Embry-Riddle, ran 2:08.55 in the 800 meters, the No. 20 time in NCAA Division II. 

  • Florida Southern swept the podium in the men’s 10,000 meters, as Christopher Colavita, Cole Summers and Eli Zuppa finished first, second and third. 

  • Luke Richardson, Embry-Riddle, ran 20.65 in the 200 meters, the No. 6 time in NCAA Division II. 

  • Sativa James, Nova Southeastern, posted the top preliminary times in both the 200 meters and 400 meters. 

  • Tampa claimed the top six spots in the women’s 400-meter hurdles prelims, led by Allie Murphy’s 1:01.51, an NCAA Division II provisional mark. 

Team Standings (2 of 12 Events Scored) 

Men’s Team Results 

  1. Florida Southern – 42 pts 

  1. Tampa – 25 pts 

  1. Florida Tech – 5 pts 

  1. Palm Beach Atlantic – 4 pts 

  1. Embry-Riddle – 2 pts 

Women’s Team Results 

  1. Tampa – 31 pts 

  1. Nova Southeastern – 24 pts 

  1. Florida Southern – 15 pts 

  1. Embry-Riddle – 7 pts 

  1. Barry – 1 pts 

The Sunshine State Conference Track Championship continues Saturday, April 24, beginning at noon with the men’s 4x100-meter relay.