MOBILE, Ala. – It was another big year for South Alabama Athletics in 2023-24. The Jaguars earned multiple big wins, championships, postseason appearances and awards.
Throughout the month of July, USAJaguars.com will recap some of the biggest storylines from the past year as we get ready for another big season of competition in 2024-25.
Next, we will look back at the second individual NCAA Track and Field Title in the last two years for South Alabama.
Prinsloo Claims National Title in Discus
Francois Prinsloo had a 2024 season that will go down in the history books. He compiled a lengthy list of accolades, including qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, clinching his third NCAA East Regional Title, earning the No.6 ranking on the all-time NCAA Discus Throw List, and claiming a sixth Sun Belt Conference championship.
He looked to cap off an incredible career for the Jaguars at the NCAA Track and Field Finals in Eugene, Oreg., hoping to become the second National Champion for South Alabama in the last two seasons and accomplish something that's eluded him for the last three years.
The South African native put on a masterclass performance, leading from start to finish at the NCAA Finals by recording the top three throws in the competition in his first three attempts.
He began the evening by launching a monstrous toss of 61.92 meters (203'3") before improving to 62.19 meters (204'0"). Francois put the nail in the coffin with his third throw, reaching a distance of 63.51 meters (208'4") to secure the NCAA title, beating his closest competitor from USC by nearly two meters or six feet.
This marks the fourth National Champion for the Jaguars in the program history and the sixth championship title overall.
" You know, for four years, I've tried to get on the podium at NCAA's," said Prinsloo when asked how it feels. " For four years, I've never been able to get into the top eight at Nationals. Finally, in my last year, I got the win. I can't describe how this feels. Thank you to god. Thank you to everyone who loves and has supported me. I'll see you guys in Paris."
Francois will now prepare to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics Games for his home country, South Africa, in Stade De France Stadium on Aug. 5 at 3:10 a.m. CT.
Top 2023-24 South Alabama Stories
July 1 - Football Smacks Oklahoma State in Stillwater
July 3- Francois Prinsloo Wins National Championship in Discus
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