COLUMBIA, S.C. — The
Morehouse Maroon Tigers etched their names into conference history this week, capturing the 2026 SIAC Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championship at the University of South Carolina, hosted by Benedict College. Morehouse totaled 176 points to claim the title, pulling away from the field behind a complete, all-phase performance.
With the victory, the Maroon Tigers become the first program in SIAC history to win the "track triple crown," sweeping the cross country, indoor track & field, and outdoor track & field championships in the same season. The outdoor title also marks the fourth championship of the 2025–26 athletic year for Morehouse, further cementing one of the most successful seasons in department history.
The historic achievement also drew praise from Morehouse Director of Athletics, Harold Ellis, who emphasized both the program's legacy and its continued standard of excellence under head coach Willie Hill.
"This championship is a reflection of the consistency, discipline, and championship culture that Coach Hill has built over decades," said the Morehouse Athletic Director, Harold Ellis. "To complete the triple crown in a single season is extraordinary, and it speaks to the commitment of our student-athletes across cross country and track & field. We are witnessing sustained excellence at the highest level."
With the victory, the outdoor title marks the 51st SIAC championship in track & field or cross country for Coach Hill, further solidifying his legacy as one of the most accomplished coaches in conference history.
MEET SUMMARY
Morehouse showcased championship depth across distance, sprints, hurdles, relays, and field events over the three-day meet. The Maroon Tigers piled up points in distance events, controlled key finals on the track, and delivered clutch relay performances to separate from Albany State (126 points) and host Benedict (102 points).
The distance crew led the charge with multiple podium sweeps, while the sprint and hurdle groups added valuable scoring in finals and relays. In the field, timely performances, highlighted by a high jump title, provided critical points in the championship push.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
- Distance Dominance: Morehouse swept multiple distance events, including victories in the 5,000m, 10,000m, and steeplechase.
- 800m Control: A 1-2 finish in the 800m delivered a major points swing in the middle-distance group.
- Hurdles Breakthrough: Freshman Keonte Knight claimed the 110m hurdles title and added points in the 400m hurdles.
- Relay Excellence:
- 1st – 4x400 Relay (3:12.48)
- 2nd – 4x100 Relay (40.38)
- Field Event Impact: A high jump championship and scoring in throws and vault events rounded out the team effort.
TOP PERFORMERS
Relay points are included and distributed evenly among relay participants.
- Victor Chebii, Fr. — 30 points
Delivered a historic triple, winning the 5,000m (15:08.6), 10,000m (33:50.8), and steeplechase (10:12.6) to lead all scorers.
- Dennis Kibet, Jr. — 25 points
A cornerstone of the distance unit with four scoring finishes, including runner-up in the steeplechase and multiple podium placements.
- Keonte Knight, Fr. — 20.5 points
Emerged as a star, winning the 110m hurdles (14.57), placing third in the 400m hurdles (53.41), and contributing to both relays.
- Elijah Rose, Fr. — 11.5 points
Key sprint contributor with scoring finishes in the 100m and 200m, while playing a major role in both relay units.
- Michael Simmons Jr., Jr. — 10.5 points
Placed third in the 400m (47.68) and anchored both relay teams for crucial championship points.
- Sidney Morris, Jr. — 10.5 points
Runner-up in the 800m (1:55.2) and a contributor to the 4x400 relay pool.
- Blake Pollock, Fr. — 10 points
Claimed the 800m title (1:54.7), delivering a pivotal win for the Maroon Tigers.
- Logan McCormick, So. — 10 points
Captured the high jump title (2.05m / 6'8.75") to lead the field event unit.
- Owynn Brown, Jr. — 8 points
Runner-up finish in the 1,500m (4:08.3) added to the distance scoring surge.
TEAM IMPACT
Morehouse's championship formula was built on:
- Elite distance scoring (Chebii, Kibet, Brown)
- High-impact sprint/hurdle performances (Knight, Rose, Simmons)
- Relay dominance adding hidden scoring value
- Key field event contributions to maintain separation
The Maroon Tigers placed athletes across the scoring spectrum, with numerous competitors earning All-SIAC honors by finishing in the top eight of their respective events.
ALL-SIAC HONORS
Morehouse's championship performance was further reflected in its strong presence on the All-SIAC teams, with numerous Maroon Tigers earning postseason recognition. First Team All-SIAC honors (top-five finishers) were highlighted by event champions Victor Chebii (5,000m, 10,000m, steeplechase), Blake Pollock (800m), Keonte Knight (110m hurdles), and Logan McCormick (high jump), along with runner-up finishes from Sidney Morris (800m), Owynn Brown (1,500m), and Dennis Kibet (steeplechase), who also added multiple podium finishes across distance events. The Maroon Tigers also saw strong representation on the podium in relays and across the distance group, reinforcing their depth. Second Team All-SIAC honors (6th–8th place finishers) included contributors such as Elijah Rose (100m), Khalil Johnson (110m hurdles), and Trawick Warren (10,000m, steeplechase), among others, as Morehouse placed athletes throughout the scoring standings to power its championship run.
CHAMPIONSHIP CONTEXT
The victory completes a historic run for Morehouse Track & Field:
- 2025 SIAC Cross Country Champions
- 2026 SIAC Indoor Track & Field Champions
- 2026 SIAC Outdoor Track & Field Champions
First "Triple Crown" in SIAC history
Combined with men's basketball's regular season and tournament championships earlier this year, Morehouse Athletics has now secured four conference titles in 2025–26, underscoring a department-wide standard of excellence.
NATIONAL QUALIFIERS
In addition to the conference championship, several Maroon Tigers turned in performances that secured spots at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Michael Simmons Jr. qualified in the 400m with a season-best time of 46.95, surpassing the NCAA standard of 47.55. Morehouse's sprint relay units also punched their tickets, as the 4x100 relay team of Evan Alphonse, Michael Simmons Jr., Keonte Knight, and Elijah Rose posted a qualifying time of 40.38 (40.68 standard), while the 4x400 relay team featuring the same quartet clocked 3:12.48 (3:13.90 standard). In the field, Logan McCormick met the national standard in the high jump, clearing 2.05m (6'8.75") to secure his place on the national stage. For up-to-date athletic information on the Maroon Tigers, follow them on social media or online at www.morehouseathletics.com.
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ABOUT THE SOUTHERN INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE (SIAC)
The SIAC is a NCAA athletic conference consisting primarily of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) 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.