As the new college season approaches, a promising wave of FirstPoint USA track and field and cross-country athletes are preparing to make an impact on the American collegiate stage. These talented individuals are either commencing their freshman year or continuing their athletic and academic journeys at some of the most prestigious track and field programs in the United States.
Following in the footsteps of some of the world’s best-known athletes, whose college careers served as springboards to global success, our track and field alum are poised to build on their recent achievements and pursue their ambitions for the upcoming season.
In our latest blog, we shine a spotlight on some of these athletes to watch, who will undoubtedly prove an inspiration to other young athletes aiming to train, compete and study in the US in the near future …
Yannick Kraus | Harvard University
A 7,000-point decathlete from Germany, Yannick has been guided by Ultimate Athletics Dubai for the past seven years and now makes his move to the Ivy League’s Harvard University to study Economics. He secured a world best in the U18 pentathlon and boasts a high jump PB of 2.01m and 110m hurdles PB of 14.59s. A name to watch at the world-renowned Harvard Track & Field program, who boast 3-time Olympic gold medallist Gabby Thomas among their notable alum.
Alex Riley | Oklahoma State University
Setting a British U20 5km record of 13.41 this year, Alex represented Great Britain at the World U20 Championship 2024. As 2024 English School Champion in the 1500m, he has now produced a world class time of 3:38.38 and begins his freshman year with 5-time NCAA National Cross Country Champions Oklahoma State this fall.
Mayalee Osola | California State Fullerton University
Had an outstanding freshman year at California State, breaking the Cal State Heptathlon record at the famous Bryan Clay Invitational in April with 4,788 points and an indoor record with 3,331 points. A graduate of Millfield School, England, she also excelled over the hurdles reducing her PB from 14.51 to 14.38 under the coaching of Dominque Arnold, the fifth fastest hurdler of all time. Set for an exciting sophomore year with the Titans.
Oliver Patton | Oklahoma State University
The recently crowned 2025 British U20s 1500m champion returns to Oklahoma State for his sophomore year, having progressed his 1500m from 3.47 in 2024 to 3.43 and lowered his mile time from 4.16 to 4:02.65. Oliver’s next stop will be this summer’s European U20 Championships in Finland, where he represents Great Britain and Northern Ireland. From St Columba’s School near Glasgow, Oliver has excelled with one of the country’s highest profile NCAA DI athletic programs.
Kai Crawford | University of Alabama
The Scottish athlete from Aberdeen continues his steady progress at the renowned NCAA DI athletic powerhouse of the University of Alabama. Entering his senior year with the Crimson Tide, Kai has improved his 800m by 3 seconds, setting a PB of 1:51.34 at the LSU Track Invite. He is majoring in mechanical engineering.
Omar Bajo | Life University
The talented Scottish athlete recently helped the Scottish National U20 relay team to a 4 x 400m relay record of 3:13.96 in Germany. He will be guided by Life University Head Coach Dominic Demeritte, the former World Championship medallist and Olympian from the Bahamas, starting his freshman year in Georgia this Fall at one of the NAIA’s leading programs.
Nina Allmark | University of Texas Tyler
Under the expert guidance of Ultimate Athletics Dubai, the English athlete achieved an 800m time of 2:16.93 at 16-years old and will join her former clubmate Jasmine Crawley at the University of Texas Tyler, where she will study marketing. An exciting freshman season ahead.
Luke Lindsay | Wingate University
Another talented Scottish middle-distance runner, Luke made the most of his freshman year at the 2023 NCAA DII Championship-winning program Wingate, contributing to early season cross country performances and consistently picking up top placings in indoor and outdoor track. Heading into his sophomore season with the Bulldogs.
Jasmine Crawley | University of Texas-Tyler
One of Australia’s top junior heptathletes, Jasmine – originally from Perth who attended the Jebil Ali School in the UAE - enters her sophomore year at NCAA DII University of Texas Tyler under the guidance of veteran combined events coach David Keiser, competing in the Lone Star Conference.
Josh McKinlay | Life University
Josh is a versatile cross country and track athlete and has been a standout recruit for Life University in Georgia. The talented Scot has picked up multiple top-30 placings in the National Cross Country Championships and with a new PB of 8.36 in the 3000m, Josh can rightfully target the NAIA national final in 2026.
Finn O’Neill | University of Texas San Antonio
The Irish U20 Decathlon Record Holder begins his sophomore year under the guidance of Aaron Fox at University of Texas San Antonio, who led British Decathlete Jack Turner to break the 8000-point barrier and qualify for the NCAA Championships in 2021.
We wish all our track and field athletes every success for 2025-26 and look forward to following their progress in both the indoor and outdoor seasons. If you are an aspiring athlete considering the US collegiate pathway, register your interest with FirstPoint USA today and schedule an introductory call with our Associate Director of Olympic Sports Laura Lewis, a former track and field athlete at NCAA D1 McNeese State University.
