BLUFFTON -- If Sam Mitchell's freshman campaign is any indication of how his career may unfold, Sand Shark fans are in for a treat as the rising star continues to chase gold in the Peach Belt Conference and beyond.
The Bonaire, Georgia native stormed onto the collegiate scene with a confidence and consistency that earned him the Peach Belt Conference Freshman Field Athlete of the Year — a fitting recognition for a season in which Mitchell made his mark, both literally and figuratively, on the USCB track and field program.
From his debut at the Birmingham Indoor Icebreaker, Mitchell showed he belonged, posting an impressive 6.58m in the long jump and 13.94m in the triple jump. But those marks were just the beginning.
At the 2025 Liberty Open, Mitchell turned heads with a pair of personal bests. He soared 6.72m in the long jump and logged a 14.05m triple jump — good enough for seventh overall in a competitive field. With each meet, he proved he wasn't just a promising freshman — he was a podium threat every time he stepped on the runway.
Mitchell's momentum carried into the outdoor season. At the Georgia Showdown, he claimed second place in the long jump with a 6.97m leap, showcasing his ability to rise in big moments.
However, it was the Peach Belt Conference Outdoor Championships where Mitchell put together his masterpiece. In the long jump, he smashed through the 7-meter barrier for the first time, posting a 7.08m personal best to earn silver. He followed that up with a 14.01m mark in the triple jump, grabbing bronze and solidifying himself as one of the league's top field athletes.
But Mitchell wasn't done. His versatility was on full display as he helped power USCB's 4x100 relay team to a conference title, clocking in at 41.36 — a gold-medal performance. He capped off his individual campaign with a fifth-place finish in the 100m dash, sprinting to a time of 10.75.
Mitchell's freshman year wasn't just statistically impressive — it was program-defining. His all-around contributions on the track and in the field gave the Sand Sharks a critical edge in conference competition and set a new standard for freshman excellence at USCB.
As the Sand Shark community reflects on the top moments of the 2024-25 season, Mitchell's emergence as a two-way star — jumper and sprinter, freshman and leader — stands tall as one of the year's brightest highlights. With three podium finishes, a relay championship, and a major conference honor to his name, one thing is clear: Sam Mitchell is just getting started.
