KJ Byrd Wins Heptathlon Title on Second Day of ACC Indoor Championships

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ACC Indoor Championships

Photo by: Mallory Peak | Louisville Athletics

KJ Byrd Wins Heptathlon Title on Second Day of ACC Indoor Championships

March 02, 2025 | Track & Field

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Byrd became the first freshman ever to win the ACC heptathlon title, setting a new school record of 5,903 points in the process.

By: Sam Gercak

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The University of Louisville track & field teams closed the second of three days of competition at the ACC Indoor Championships on Sunday, earning their first ACC title of the weekend with freshman KJ Byrd earning the gold in the men's heptathlon.

Byrd became the first freshman in ACC history to win the men's heptathlon title at the conference championship meet while also setting a new program record with a total of 5,903 points to secure 10 points for the Cards.

The point total bettered the previous record of 5,797 points that was set by Paul Kallenberg at the 2023 ACC Indoor Championships and moved Byrd into fifth in the NCAA thus far this season, putting him in prime position to clinch a spot at the NCAA Indoor Championships.

The native of Connelly Springs, N.C. racked up personal records in four out of the seven events while leading the field in three events with marks of 7.16m (23-6) in the long jump, 2.13m (6-11.75), and 5.10m (16-8.75) in the pole vault.

After two days of competition, the Louisville women rank in a tie for second in the team standings through seven events with 35 points, while the Louisville men currently stand in sixth place with 17 events through six events.

Synclair Savage also earned a spot on the podium with a third-place finish in the women's long jump, leaping to a mark of 6.19m (20-3.75) to earn First Team All-ACC distinction in the event for the third time in her career. In addition to Savage's bronze medal, sophomore Sophia Day placed fifth in the event to earn Second Team All-ACC honors with a mark of 6.03m (19-9.5).

Soledad Jean rounded out the day's point scorers for the Cardinals, clearing a bar of 1.74m (5-8.5) in the women's high jump to claim seventh place.

On the track, Ryan Farrell led the charge, recording the fastest preliminary time in the men's 800m with a 1:48.81 to become the first Cardinal to qualify for the men's 800m finals at the ACC Indoor Championships. The senior will enter tomorrow's final as the top seed with the gun set to go off at 1:50 p.m. ET.

After qualifying for the women's 200m finals yesterday, Kiyah Yeast set a new personal-best en route to a finals qualification in the women's 60m, moving up to second in program history with a time of 7.32. Yeast will take part in the women's 60m final set for 1:20 p.m. ET tomorrow afternoon before doubling back for the women's 200m final which will take place at 2:00 p.m. ET.

In the men's 60m, freshman Jaidyn Johnson punched his ticket to the finals in the men's 60m, blazing to a time of 6.71 to tie his own personal best in the event. Johnson will step into the starting blocks as the second Cardinal ever to qualify for the ACC final in the men's 60m tomorrow afternoon at 1:30 p.m. ET.

The final day of competition at the Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center will resume tomorrow morning at 11:00 a.m. ET with the women's triple jump. Track events are set to get underway at 12:00 p.m. with the final of the women's mile with the championship meet expected to conclude with the men's 4x400m relay at 3:50 p.m. ET.

ACC Indoor Championships – Day Two
March 2, 2025
Louisville, Ky. | Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center

* = Personal Record
(T) = Tied Personal Record
! = School Record
(Q) = Qualified for Finals

Women's 60m – Preliminaries
Kiyah Yeast – 7.32 * (Q)
Olivia Jenkins – 7.38 *

Men's 60m – Preliminaries
Jaidyn Johnson – 6.71 (T) (Q)
Clarence McLean – 6.86

Men's 800m – Preliminaries
Ryan Farrell – 1:48.81 (Q)
JB Terrill – 1:53.17

Women's Mile – Preliminaries
Lauren Bettencourt – 4:53.61

Men's Mile – Preliminaries
Gustav Bendsen – 4:05.48

Women's High Jump
Soledad Jean – 1.74m (5-8.5)

Women's Long Jump
Synclair Savage – 6.19m (20-3.75)
Sophia Day – 6.03m (19-9.5)
Rachel Darden – 5.88m (19-3.5) *

Men's Heptathlon
KJ Byrd – 5,903 points * !

Men's 1000m – Heptathlon
KJ Byrd – 2:52.61

Men's 60m Hurdles – Heptathlon
KJ Byrd – 8.18 *

Men's Pole Vault – Heptathlon
KJ Byrd – 5.10m (16-8.75)

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.