Track Champ Makes History

Long distance runner Charlotte Taylor MS ’18 won the NCAA track and field title in 10,000 meters in June, shocking even herself and becoming the first woman in USF history to win an individual national championship.

Taylor’s win is USF’s first individual national championship in nearly 50 years.

“I was very surprised, and I’m super excited,” she said, after the race at the University of Oregon. “I had set my eye on being an All-American at the beginning of the season, which means finishing in the top eight. To come away with a win is just beyond my wildest dreams.”

Taylor was in the lead trio for much of the race. With a lap remaining, the Spalding, England native sprinted to the front, defeating Alice Wright of the University of New Mexico Lobos and Sharon Lokedi of the University of Kansas.

The win is another jewel in Taylor’s athletic crown. She was first team All-American in cross country in 2016. Before enrolling in USF’s Master’s in International and Development Economics program, she was a triathlon world champion.

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