Georgia’s Moustafa Alsherif and Jayden Keys Score NCAA First Team All-America Honors with Standout Performances in Javelin and Long Jump

On the opening day of the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon, the University of Georgia made its presence felt thanks to a pair of standout individual performances that secured First Team All-America honors. Senior Moustafa Alsherif and freshman Jayden Keys each turned in top-eight finishes in their respective events—Alsherif in the men’s javelin and Keys in the men’s long jump—to bring points and prestige to the Bulldogs on a national stage.

For Alsherif, a native of Cairo, Egypt, his All-American moment came in dramatic fashion. After transferring into Georgia before the start of the school year, the senior delivered his best javelin throw on his second attempt, launching it 76.69 meters (251 feet, 7 inches) to secure a fourth-place finish. That mark not only earned him a place among the nation’s elite but also extended an impressive streak for Georgia’s javelin program. Alsherif’s showing marks the fourth consecutive year that the Bulldogs have produced a scoring All-American in the men’s javelin, following in the footsteps of former NCAA champion Marc Minichello, who won the national title in 2024.

Alsherif’s journey to the NCAA stage is one marked by determination and adaptation. Having previously competed at another institution, he transferred to Georgia in pursuit of both academic and athletic excellence. The transition, while not without its challenges, has proven fruitful for both the athlete and the program. Georgia throws coach Don Babbitt, long regarded as one of the top javelin mentors in collegiate athletics, has a history of nurturing elite-level talent, and Alsherif is the latest in a growing line of Bulldogs to flourish under his guidance. With powerful technique and an ever-evolving understanding of the event, Alsherif quickly emerged as one of the top contenders this season.

From early-season meets to the SEC Championships and now to nationals, Alsherif demonstrated consistency and mental fortitude. The 76.69m throw at Hayward Field was the second-best mark of his collegiate career and one that confirmed his place among the NCAA’s best. It was a performance that not only contributed to the team’s overall scoring but also solidified Georgia’s growing identity as a javelin powerhouse. With his All-America honor, Alsherif joins an elite club at Georgia, one that includes multiple Olympians and national champions in the throwing disciplines.

Meanwhile, in the long jump pit, freshman Jayden Keys made his NCAA debut in style. A product of Houston, Texas, Keys entered the competition as the No. 8 seed nationally, and he matched his billing with a jump of 7.80 meters (25 feet, 7.25 inches), earning him eighth place and First Team All-America recognition. The result not only marked a personal achievement for the young jumper but also carried historical weight. Keys became the first Bulldog to earn First Team All-America honors in the outdoor men’s long jump since Lester Benjamin finished in eighth place back in 1985. In fact, Keys is only the second athlete in Georgia history to accomplish the feat.

The significance of Keys’ performance extends beyond simple numbers. A freshman competing against seasoned veterans and upperclassmen from around the country, he displayed poise and competitive grit that belied his age. His consistency throughout the spring season, including an SEC Championship win just a month ago, helped position him as one of the top young long jumpers in the NCAA. But it was at Hayward Field, under the spotlight of the sport’s biggest collegiate stage, that he proved his readiness to compete with the best.

Throughout the day, Keys remained composed, letting his preparation and athletic instincts take over. The 7.80m leap wasn’t his career best, but it came in a pressure-packed environment and against a field that included multiple former national finalists. For Georgia jumps coach James Thomas, who took over the role last year, Keys’ performance is validation of the program’s commitment to recruiting and developing elite horizontal jumpers. It also signals the beginning of what could be a special collegiate career.

Keys’ ascent has been rapid, but not entirely unexpected. Coming out of high school as one of the top-ranked jumpers in the country, he chose Georgia in part because of the school’s rich tradition in field events and the opportunity to contribute right away. Now, less than a year into his collegiate career, he’s already a national scorer and a First Team All-American. That kind of production so early in an athlete’s development is rare, and it bodes well for the Bulldogs’ future in the event.

Together, Alsherif and Keys represent two important pillars of Georgia’s identity at the NCAA Championships—an experienced veteran delivering a clutch performance and a precocious freshman rising to the occasion. Their respective finishes earned valuable points for the Bulldogs and highlighted the program’s ability to succeed across event groups and class years. It also continues Georgia’s tradition of excellence in field events, an area that has become a hallmark of the program under head coach Caryl Smith Gilbert and her accomplished assistant staff.

As the NCAA meet progresses, Georgia will look to build on the momentum provided by Alsherif and Keys. With athletes competing in sprints, hurdles, jumps, and multis later in the week, the Bulldogs are positioned to make a significant impact on the team leaderboard. But no matter how the remainder of the competition unfolds, the opening day already provided moments worth celebrating.

Alsherif’s powerful javelin series, capped by that 76.69m bomb on his second attempt, demonstrated the kind of elite-level execution required on the national stage. It also reinforced the technical prowess and depth that Georgia continues to cultivate in the throws. Meanwhile, Keys’ eighth-place jump may have come on the last day of freshman classes back in Athens, but it showed maturity well beyond his years and gave fans and coaches alike a glimpse of a promising future.

Georgia’s track and field program has long taken pride in its ability to compete with the nation’s best. The performances from Alsherif and Keys at the NCAA Championships are the latest examples of that tradition in action. Both athletes embraced the moment, delivered under pressure, and walked away as First Team All-Americans—one a senior with a world of experience and one a freshman just getting started.

And as the Bulldogs push forward in Eugene, their efforts serve as a reminder of what makes Georgia a perennial contender: a culture of high standards, a dedication to development, and a belief that any athlete, no matter their age or background, can rise to meet the challenge of championship competition.