Ghanaian hurdler Doris Quainoo has clocked a career-best time to secure a podium finish at the Jarvis Scott Invitational in Lubbock, Texas.
Representing the University of South Florida (USF) Bulls, the junior athlete from Gomoa Dawurampong produced a clinical display of progression over the two-day meet on 13-14 February, shaving fractions off her time in every round of the women’s 60m hurdles.
Quainoo’s weekend began with a steady 8.55-second run in the preliminaries, placing her ninth.
However, the Ghanaian international found another gear in the semi-finals, storming to third place with a time of 8.31 seconds.
In a high-pressure final, Quainoo delivered her best performance yet. She surged across the line in 8.23 seconds to take second place overall—a new personal best that underlines her rising status in the American Athletic Conference (AAC).
Quainoo’s silver medal was the highlight of a prolific weekend for the USF track and field programme, which saw three school records tumble in the “Lone Star State”.
Nathan Metelus shattered the USF 200m record by finishing second in 20.66 seconds, while Karim Belmahdi set a new programme benchmark in the 800m with a time of 1:49.6.
The men’s success continued as the 4x400m relay team, consisting of Devontie Archer, Metelus, Alexavier Monfries, and Markel Jones, claimed victory and a third programme record with a time of 3:03.82.
In the individual hurdles, Jones mirrored Quainoo’s consistency by dominating the men’s 60m hurdles final in 7.67 seconds to take the gold.
Under the guidance of head coach Erik Jenkins, the USF Bulls are currently enjoying a golden era.
Having secured back-to-back AAC Indoor Championships in 2024 and 2025, the team looks well-positioned to defend its crown following this latest string of podium finishes.
For Quainoo, the breakthrough in Texas marks a significant milestone in her development since transferring to USF.
The hurdles specialist, who balances elite athletics with her academic studies, remains a key figure for both her university and the Ghanaian national setup.
The Bulls now shift their focus to the Tampa Classic on 21 February, which marks the start of the outdoor season.
This will serve as a vital warm-up before the team travels to Birmingham, Alabama, for the American Indoor Championships from 26-28 February, where Quainoo is expected to be a major contender for the top step of the podium.
