Athletes Jeremiah Davis, Dajaz DeFrand named Most Valuable Player in ACC Championship

ATLANTA—The 2024 ACC Outdoor Track and Field Championship concluded on Saturday at the George C. Griffin Track in Atlanta, with student-athletes Jeremiah Davis and Dajaz DeFrand named the Most Valuable Performers of the meet.

Davis repeated as the men's field MVP after scoring 20 points behind two wins. Davis defended his title as the long jump champion on Friday with a mark of 7.97m before winning gold in the triple jump with a mark of 16.71m. It was the first time since 2018 that FSU has won the event.

DeFrand placed first in the women's 100-meter at 11.08 after she set the ACC meet record in prelims at 10.88. DeFrand also repeated as champion in the 200, marking the first person in program history to earn a gold medal at back-to-back ACC's. She was named the women's MVP for the second time in as many tries.

In addition to Davis and DeFrand's four individual gold medals, the Seminoles added 13 medals, including three gold.

"We had a really good meet on both sides, "FSU track and field head coach Bob Braman said. "There were more lifetime and season bests than I can count."

Ismael Kone took home gold in the 100, clocking a time of 10.25. He also placed fifth in the 200 with a time of 20.85.

"I felt the leadership from Kone," Braman added.Ahmari Avin placed 12th in the discus throw with a lifetime best of 47.92m.

The men's 4x100 relay team behind Keshaun Black, Kone, Alex Collier and Jaiden Rollins took home gold for the first time since 2021, clocking a time of 39.49.

"Nice job from Keshaun and Alex on the relay," Braman said. "The surprise star was jumper Jaiden Rollins, taking down the ACC's best sprinters on the anchor leg. That was a big boost for the men.

"The men overachieved by 20 points and were in the lead with only three events to go. I was proud of how hard they competed to even give us a chance."

Tyson Williams took home his first career ACC gold medal in the 110 hurdles, clocking a lifetime best and sixth-fastest time in school history at 13.62. Andre Korbmacher followed Williams in the hurdles, earning second-team All-ACC honors with a time of 13.81, placing fourth.

"Tyson Williams has emerged as a national-level hurdler and beat a strong field to take the win," Braman added.

Kyvon Tatham took home bronze in the men's triple jump with a lifetime best of 15.73m. LaQuan Ellis followed in fifth with a career-best of 15.71m. Jayden-Louis Charles concluded the event in sixth with his best of 15.32m.

"The jumps squad responded to the return of their leader, Jeremiah Davis," Braman said. "They scored 46 pints from Coach Sand's lads."

Alexandra Webster added eight points for the Noles in the women's 100 hurdles, crossing the line in 13.04 for silver. Tyra Wilson earned first-team All-ACC in the 400 hurdles, establishing a lifetime best and third-fastest time in FSU history at 56.30, winning silver.

"Tyra Wilson is starting to assert herself on the national scene," Braman said."

Kaniya Johnson and Liana Tyson tied for bronze in the 100, crossing the line at 11.46. Johnson followed DeFrand in the 200, placing seventh at 23.46.

Suus Altorf battled her way to a bronze medal (4:13.22) in the 1,500.

The women's 4x100 relay team behind Webster, DeFrand, Johnson and Tyson placed second with a time of 43.68.

"The women fought hard for every point and are well positioned for regions and nationals," Braman added. "

Kayla Pinkard competed in the women's long jump, placing ninth with a mark of 12.30m.

Tyra Wilson, Ava Klein, Kaelyaah Liburd and Jaden Francis rallied five points in the 4x400 relay, which finished in 3:34.80 and placed fourth.

David Mullarkey led the Noles in fourth in the 5,000, adding five points with a time of 13.41.76. Cooper Schroeder followed in 16th with a lifetime best of 14:04.5. Zachary Cloud concluded the event in 24th at 14:18.12.

Martin Prodanov scored two points for the Noles in the 1,500m, placing seventh at 3:43.99.

"Martin, David and a lot of other guys kept us in the hunt," Braman said.

British Wilkerson stamped sixth place in the men's 400 meters with a time of 46.78.

The men's team finished fourth with 95 points, while the No. 17 women finished fifth with 68.

Qualified student-athletes will compete at the NCAA East Region Championships in Lexington, Kentucky, from May 22-25.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: ACC Track and Field Championship ends with two FSU athletes named MVP