Puerto Rico’s Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, the 2021 Olympic gold medalist and 2024 bronze medalist in the 100-metre hurdles, and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the reigning world record holder in the 400-metre hurdles and four-time Olympic gold medalist, were honored as part of the University of Kentucky Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2024 on Friday night.

The induction ceremony, held at the Central Bank Center, celebrated the achievements of these two track and field stars along with fellow inductees John Cropp (administrator/coach), Henrik Larsen (rifle), Jodie Meeks (men's basketball), and Corey Peters (football).

Camacho-Quinn, who represented the University of Kentucky from 2016 to 2018, took to Instagram to reflect on her journey to this prestigious honour, sharing her gratitude and reflecting on her struggles. “I think I’m still lost for words," she wrote. "I started at the University of Kentucky a semester late. Spring of 2015 and was forced to redshirt. I wasn’t the most well-behaved student in high school and when I finally got my stuff together, it was too late. This caused me to stay home fall semester of 2014 and take online classes. But it was a part of my journey. This is MY story."

She went on to thank those who supported her through her college years, a time she admits was not always easy. "College wasn’t the easiest either. But everyone who truly believed in me and stuck by my side, Thank you.❤️ Thank you Mommy & Daddy. Thank you to my brothers James, Robert & Miguel. Thank you Sarah. Thank you Coach Flo. Thank you Barb & Passion. & Thank you God," she shared.

Though her college career spanned only three years, Camacho-Quinn's time at Kentucky was highly impactful. She won three NCAA titles—twice in the 100-metre hurdles (2016, 2018) and once in the 4x100m relay (2017). A six-time SEC champion, she also set four school records and remains one of the most accomplished athletes in Kentucky's track and field history.

"The journey wasn’t the easiest, but it was well worth it. Although I only got to represent for three years at Kentucky, those three years taught me so much about myself & life. Six years later after graduating, I am now a part of THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY HALL OF FAME!" she concluded.

McLaughlin-Levrone, who spent just one year at Kentucky in 2018 before turning professional, has become one of the most decorated athletes in the world. McLaughlin-Levrone set the collegiate record in the 400m hurdles during her time at UK, running 52.75 seconds to win the SEC Championship, a mark that still stands today. Her brief collegiate career also saw her win NCAA and SEC titles and break the world junior indoor 400m record.

Since leaving Kentucky, McLaughlin-Levrone has taken the track and field world by storm, winning four Olympic gold medals—two each in Tokyo and Paris—and setting the world record in the 400m hurdles in both Olympics. She most recently shattered her own record at the 2024 Paris Olympics with a stunning time of 50.37 seconds. In addition to her individual accolades, McLaughlin-Levrone anchored the U.S. women’s 4x400m relay team to gold in Paris, setting an American record in the process.

Louisiana State University (LSU) Sophomore sensation Brianna Lyston has signed a Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deal with Adidas.

The 19-year-old made the announcement in an Instagram post on Monday.

“Philippians 2:13 ‘For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.’ Blessed to announce my partnership with adidas through NIL,” she wrote.

Sources indicate that she has no plans to opt out of school but plans to complete her education at LSU.

Lyston, the 2022 World U-20 200m champion, has had an excellent start to her second season at the Baton Rouge-based University.

She is currently the collegiate leader in the women’s 60m with her 7.07 effort to win at the Razorback Invitation on January 27 in Arkansas.

The former St. Jago and Hydel High standout also ran 23.13 for third in the 200m at the New Mexico Collegiate Classic on February 2.

Georgia Bulldogs duo Jehlani Gordon and Daszay Freeman were both winners at Saturday’s TRACK at new balance Collegiate Showdown in Boston.

Gordon, the former Wolmer’s Boys star, produced 6.63 to win the men’s 60m ahead of Northeastern’s Ethan Exilhomme (6.69) and South Carolina’s Anthony Greenhow (6.74). Earlier, Gordon made it through to the final as the fastest qualifier with a time of 6.70.

The 20-year-old also took top spot at the Clemson Invitational on January 12 with a personal best 6.60.

Freeman, a senior at Georgia who previously competed at the University of Arkansas, ran 8.24 to win the women’s 60m hurdles ahead of teammate Bella Witt (8.26) and UCONN’s Jailya Ash (8.28).

In the field, Rutgers’ Celine Brown jumped 6.20m to take the women’s long jump ahead pf teammate Alexis Willis (6.02m) and Georgia’s Karsen Phillips (5.47m).

It seems as if Julien Alfred sets a new personal best and national record every week.

On January 21, the 21-year-old St Lucian clocked 7.05 and then 7.02, then world-leading times at the Martin Luther King Invitational in New Mexico.

She then set a new personal best and national record of 22.56 over 200m, also in New Mexico on Friday, February 3 at the New Mexico Collegiate Classic.

A day later, on Saturday, she blazed to a new 60m record lowering her own mark to 7.00, the second fastest time in the world this year behind Aleia Hobbs’ 6.98.

The Texas Longhorn senior was miles ahead of Samira Mood of the University of Southern California (USC) who ran a creditable 7.19 and LSU Junior Favour Ofili 7.21.

Aldred’s Texas teammate Kevona Davis was fourth in 7.22.

Several other Caribbean athletes excelled at the two-day meet that began on Friday.

Lamara Distin, the NCAA champion established a new Jamaica national indoor record of 1.94m to easily take gold on Friday. Her Texas A&M teammate Bara Sajdokavic took the runner-up spot with her clearance of 1.87m.

LSU’s Morgan Small was third with 1.81m.

Wayne Pinnock, who transferred from Tennessee to Arkansas during the summer, was an easy winner of the Men’s Long Jump soaring out to a mark of 8.10m.

Kelsey Daniel of New Mexico Junior College was next best with his effort of 7.99m while Texas freshman Solomon Washington was third with 7.85m.

World U20 champion Jaydon Hibbert, a freshman at the University of Arkansas, demonstrated his class with two jumps of 16.73m to win the triple jump competition.

His nearest rival was Russell Robinson of Miami, who leapt out to 16.33m. LSU’s Apalos Edwards secured third place with his best effort of 16.13m.

Texas Longhorn Ackelia Smith of Jamaica produced a mark of 13.92m to win the women’s event ahead of Texas Christian University’s Grace Anigbata (13.24m) and Miami’s Ashley Moore (12.97m).

Meanwhile, Omar McLeod, who was returned to Arkansas to train after failed campaigns over the past two seasons, finished second in the 60m hurdles.

The 2016 Olympic champion clocked 7.61 behind USC’s Omotade Ojora, who ran 7.58 for the win. Texas Tech’s Caleb Dean was third in 7.62,

Demisha Roswell had to settle for second place in the women’s event in a close battle with LSU Junior Leah Phillips, who won in 8.02.

The Texas Tech senior crossed the line in 8.03.

Wisconsin’s Destiny Huven was third in 8.08.

Emerging sprinter Kiara Grant of Norfolk State University and Ackera Nugent of Baylor were among several Jamaicans who produced top NCAA performances between Friday and Saturday as the collegiate indoor circuit unfolded in earnest in the United States.