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5 Key Takeaways On Charleston Southern Track And Field: The Buccaneers' Road To 2026 Glory

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The Charleston Southern Buccaneers Track and Field program has firmly established itself as a perennial contender within the Big South Conference, with the 2025 season culminating in impressive runner-up finishes and record-breaking individual performances. As of December 23, 2025, the team is already deep into the 2025-2026 indoor campaign, building momentum for a highly anticipated outdoor season that promises to challenge for conference titles.

The Buccaneers, competing in NCAA Division I, are known for a balanced attack across sprints, distance, and field events. Their recent success is a testament to strong coaching leadership and a deep roster of talented athletes who are consistently pushing the boundaries of the program's all-time record book. This deep dive explores the five most critical takeaways from the program's current standing and its trajectory toward the 2026 championships.

CSU Track & Field Leadership and Program Profile

The success of the Charleston Southern Track and Field program is underpinned by a dedicated coaching staff and a history of developing elite talent in the Big South Conference (BSC). The program competes in all major NCAA disciplines, including Indoor Track, Outdoor Track, and Cross Country (XC).

  • Institution: Charleston Southern University (CSU)
  • Location: Charleston, South Carolina
  • Nickname: Buccaneers (Bucs)
  • Conference: Big South Conference (BSC)
  • NCAA Division: Division I
  • Director of Track & Field and Cross Country: Jim Stintzi
  • Head Women's Track & Field Coach: Soyini Thompson (Began 10th season in 2025)
  • Assistant Track & Field Coach: Brandon Blanton
  • Notable Alumnus: Fearghal Curtin (Set a new Irish Marathon National Record in 2025)

1. The 2025 Season: A Dual Runner-Up Triumph in the Big South

The 2025 season proved to be one of the most successful in recent memory for the Buccaneers, highlighting the program's strength across both the men's and women's sides. The teams delivered multiple podium finishes at the Big South Conference Championships, demonstrating their elite status in a competitive league dominated by High Point University.

Men's Indoor & Women's Outdoor Shine

The men's team secured a formidable 2nd place finish at the 2025 Big South Indoor Track and Field Championship, accumulating 128 points. This performance was a clear signal of the team's indoor prowess, driven by key individual victories and deep scoring across events. The women’s program matched this success later in the year, finishing as the Runner-Up at the 2025 Big South Outdoor Track and Field Championship with 152 points. This achievement confirms the Women's Track program's consistent presence among the conference's elite.

Individual Big South Champions

A key to the men's indoor success was the crowning of two individual conference champions. These athletes not only secured maximum points but also set a high standard for the team:

  • Luciana Custodio: Big South Men's Indoor Champion in the 400m.
  • Micah Gilpatric: Big South Men's Indoor Champion in the 3,000m.

On the women's side, distance runners like Brianna Adams contributed significantly to the runner-up finish, while athletes like Maeva Tahou, Grenisha Thomas, Austyn Koppe, and Nourhan Hassan were instrumental in relay and sprint events, showcasing the team's depth across the track.

2. 2025-2026 Indoor Season Commences with Strong Distance Marks

The 2025-2026 indoor campaign has already begun, with the Buccaneers immediately facing top-tier competition. The team utilized the early season meets to test their top athletes and set strong foundation marks for the championship season ahead. The women's distance squad made an early statement at the high-profile BU Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener on December 5-6, 2025.

At the early-December opener in Boston, distance star Keersti Augustin posted a competitive time in the Women's 5000M event, signaling her readiness for the upcoming conference and regional championships. Furthermore, the team saw strong performances from athletes like Giada D'Agostino and Freya Buglass earlier in the season at the CSU Buccaneer Open, particularly in the 5000 Meter Run, where they secured 2nd and 4th place finishes, respectively. These early results are crucial for qualifying athletes for the NCAA Division I East First Round later in the year.

3. Key Athletes and Program Records to Watch in 2026

The hallmark of a successful NCAA program is the consistent development of athletes who challenge program records. The 2026 roster is packed with returning talent and promising newcomers who are expected to make a major impact at the conference and regional level. The men's team records feature names that are setting the standard for future Buccaneers:

  • Shawn Langley Jr.: A top sprinter whose name appears frequently in the men's team records.
  • Levi Brooks (LB): Another top-tier athlete contributing to the program's sprints and relays.
  • Dantwan Spreads: Known for his contributions to the men's top-10 performances.
  • Cornelius Tyler (CT): A key entity in the program's history of elite track performances.

The current 2026 Men's Track and Field Roster features a deep pool of talent, including Hunter Adams, Jayden Anderson, Rogan Arriaga, Earlon Baker, and Jones Barber, all poised to contribute to the team's push for the 2026 Big South Championship.

4. The Road to the NCAA Division I East First Round

For Charleston Southern, the ultimate goal beyond a Big South title is qualifying athletes for the NCAA Division I East First Round, which serves as the preliminary competition for the National Championships. The 2025 season saw CSU athletes competing at this high level, a trend the program aims to continue and expand upon in 2026.

The 2026 schedule is strategically designed to provide athletes with ample opportunities to achieve qualifying marks. Major meets, including the long-awaited 2026 Outdoor Season, will be critical. The home event, the 2025 CSU Buc Open, scheduled for March 13-14, 2025, provides a crucial opportunity for athletes to post strong, early-season times in a familiar environment. The performance of athletes like Luciana Custodio in the 400m and the strength of the women's distance medley relay team will be key indicators of the program's potential for national representation.

5. Coaching Stability and Future Outlook Under Stintzi and Thompson

A significant factor in Charleston Southern’s continued success is the stability and expertise of its coaching staff. Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Jim Stintzi oversees the entire program, ensuring a cohesive strategy across all disciplines. His leadership is complemented by Head Women's Coach Soyini Thompson, who is beginning her tenth season with the Buccaneers.

Coach Thompson's longevity and proven ability to lead the women's team to a 2025 Outdoor Runner-Up finish speak volumes about the program's foundation. The specialized coaching, such as Assistant Coach Brandon Blanton focusing on specific event groups, ensures that every athlete receives tailored development, which is evident in the program's ability to produce Big South champions and All-Conference performers year after year. The release of the 2026 Outdoor Season schedule in December 2025 shows a proactive approach to planning and preparation, a positive sign for the program's ambition to move past the runner-up position and claim the 2026 Big South title.

charleston southern track and field
charleston southern track and field

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