PUEBLO, Colo. —
Edward Waters University sprinter
Samuel Vessat etched his name into the history books this past weekend, becoming the first-ever Tiger student-athlete to compete at the NCAA Division II Track and Field Championships — and he made sure his debut was one to remember.
Competing against the nation's fastest athletes at the CSU ThunderBowl in Pueblo, Colorado, Vessat placed 18th overall in the 400-meter dash, clocking a time of 47.50 seconds in the preliminary round. His performance not only showcased his elite talent but also marked a monumental moment for the EWU Track & Field program.
A native of Paris, France, Vessat qualified for the championships with a personal best time of 47.35, earned during a standout season that saw him claim SIAC gold in the 400m, earn First-Team All-SIAC honors, and finish Second-Team All-SIAC in the 200m. His competitive fire and consistent excellence on the track culminated in a historic NCAA appearance — one that now serves as a beacon of inspiration for current and future Tigers.
As a dual-sport athlete, Vessat also shines on the EWU Men's Basketball team, embodying the versatility, drive, and commitment that defines Edward Waters student-athletes.
"This is just the beginning," Vessat said following the race. "I'm proud to represent my school and hope this opens the door for more Tigers to follow."
With his groundbreaking appearance on the national stage,
Samuel Vessat has not only represented Edward Waters University with pride — he has paved the way for a new era of Tiger excellence.
FOLLOW THE TIGERS
For complete coverage of Edward Waters University Athletics, follow the Tigers on social media: @EWU_Athletics (Twitter), /EWUTigers (Facebook) and @EWU_Athletics (Instagram) or visit the official home of Edward Waters Athletics at EWUTigerPride.com.
FOLLOW THE SIAC
Stay connected by following the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference on
Facebook,
Instagram and
X @TheSIAC.
SIAC NEWS
Sign up for
SIAC News to be among the first to receive media releases, updates and more!
ABOUT THE SOUTHERN INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE (SIAC)
The SIAC is a NCAA athletic conference consisting primarily of historically black colleges and universities with headquarters in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. The SIAC includes 15 member institutions (Albany State University, Allen University, Benedict College, Central State University, Clark Atlanta University, Edward Waters University, Fort Valley State University, Kentucky State University, Lane College, LeMoyne-Owen College, Miles College, Morehouse College, Savannah State University, Spring Hill College, and Tuskegee University), which are located within a contiguous seven-state footprint (Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee and Ohio). The SIAC sponsors nine men's and seven women's sports and is a proud member of the NCAA Division II. For more information, visit
www.thesiac.com.