Photo by: Chris Carter | Louisville Athletics
KJ Byrd Named ACC Men’s Freshman of the Week
January 21, 2025 | Track & Field
The newcomer made his collegiate debut at the Bellarmine Open with a mark of 5.10m (16-8.75) in the pole vault and a time of 50.75 in the men’s 400m.
GREENSBORO, N.C. – University of Louisville track & field freshman KJ Byrd has been named the ACC Men's Freshman of the Week, as announced by the conference office on Tuesday.
Byrd made his collegiate debut last Friday at the Bellarmine Open, finishing as the runner-up in the men's pole vault with a final clearance of 5.10m (16-8.75). The mark ties him for fifth in the ACC thus far this season and also moves him into a tie for fifth in program history in the event.
The 2024 USATF U20 national champion in the decathlon also got some work in on the track, clocking a time of 50.75 in the 400m to cap off his season opener.
Byrd becomes the first Cardinal this season to earn ACC weekly honors and the first to win ACC Men's Freshman of the Week since Cade DeWitt won the honor three times last season on his way to being named the 2024 ACC Indoor Men's Freshman of the Year.
Next up, Byrd and the rest of the Cardinals will hit the road for the first time this season as they compete at the Crossroads of America Invitational in Indianapolis, Ind. on Friday, January 24 and Saturday, January 25.
For the latest information on Louisville Cross Country/Track & Field, visit GoCards.com, or follow the team's Instagram and Twitter account at @louisvilletfxc or on Facebook at facebook.com/LouisvilleTFXC.
Byrd made his collegiate debut last Friday at the Bellarmine Open, finishing as the runner-up in the men's pole vault with a final clearance of 5.10m (16-8.75). The mark ties him for fifth in the ACC thus far this season and also moves him into a tie for fifth in program history in the event.
The 2024 USATF U20 national champion in the decathlon also got some work in on the track, clocking a time of 50.75 in the 400m to cap off his season opener.
Byrd becomes the first Cardinal this season to earn ACC weekly honors and the first to win ACC Men's Freshman of the Week since Cade DeWitt won the honor three times last season on his way to being named the 2024 ACC Indoor Men's Freshman of the Year.
Next up, Byrd and the rest of the Cardinals will hit the road for the first time this season as they compete at the Crossroads of America Invitational in Indianapolis, Ind. on Friday, January 24 and Saturday, January 25.
For the latest information on Louisville Cross Country/Track & Field, visit GoCards.com, or follow the team's Instagram and Twitter account at @louisvilletfxc or on Facebook at facebook.com/LouisvilleTFXC.
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