THE HILL | Confidence, resilience, and preparation define this year's Alabama A&M University track and field team as the Bulldogs prepare for the NCAA Regionals. 

Throughout the season, Alabama A&M athletes have continued to raise the standard across both track and field events, setting record-breaking performances, championship finishes, and steady growth on one of collegiate athletics' biggest stages. 

For freshman sprinter Joe Quez Keith, the moment is not too big. 

"Heading into regionals, I feel really good," Keith said. "I feel really confident. I'm a freshman and I'm just coming in here and taking over like I've been doing the whole season. I'm going to just keep that pattern going." 

Keith has very quickly emerged as one of the star performers for the Bulldogs this season. He earned a first-place finish in the 400m at the Music City Challenge, nearly broke the school record in the event by just .12 seconds, and posted a personal-best time of 45.96 at the SWAC Championships. 

With the success also comes mountains of pressure, which Keith doesn't shy away from.  

"I put up a huge target on my back," Keith said. "That's just motivating me. It doesn't allow me to stop because I know that I'm at the top and people are trying to come for me specifically." 

Keith gives the credit of his success to the people closest to him. 

"God and my family, then my coaches," he said. "If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be here where I am today." 

While Keith's speed has dominated the track events, Olivier Jean has continued to make his presence felt in the field events. 

Jean finished second in the long jump at the Music City Challenge with a mark of 7.04 meters and later placed fourth at the SWAC Championships. Coming off surgery earlier in the year, his season became a lesson in patience and perseverance. 

"What I learned from those performances is don't put any pressure on yourself," Jean said. "I was very doubtful going into outdoor season, but I just stayed positive and kept my head up. Towards the end of the season, I started seeing real results and real progress." 

 Mental preparation has become just as important as preparing physically for Jean. 

"How I prepare mentally is to get in my Bible," he said. "I like to journal because going into big meets like this, it's a lot of anxiety and worrisome. Incorporating my Bible really helps me take away that stress." 

Jean has focused heavily on improving his technique, specifically his air mechanics and knee drive, as well as understanding the importance of consistency in long jump. 

"If you don't run out the same way every single time, that messes up your whole jump from the start," Jean said. "The first step you take has to be identical to the last one you took." 

For Justin Walker, this season has also been filled with major accomplishments. 

Walker captured first place in the long jump at the Music City Challenge with a mark of 7.29 meters before setting an outdoor school record of 7.60 meters at the Tennessee Invitational. He also holds the indoor school record in the long jump and finished fifth at the SWAC Championships. 

Despite the accolades, Walker says the success is rooted in community and encouragement. 

"All those records really don't mean much if you don't have your team and coaching staff around you to push you every day," Walker said. "You have to have that community, that village." 

Walker credits positive affirmations from the coaching staff as one of the biggest reasons for his growth this season. 

"What has helped me the most is the positive affirmations from my coaching staff," he said. "As well as them being here every day and seeing me ready to go at practice." 

As regionals approach, Walker is staying focused on one goal. 

"Qualify for championships and have fun," he said. 

Leading the program through another successful season is head coach Andrew Murphy, whose coaching philosophy centers around the student-athlete experience. 

"Coaching philosophy starts with the students," Murphy said. "Everything needs to be student-athlete centered. If they are bought in and we have a structured plan, success is what happens." 

Murphy says that resilience has been this team's motto both on and off the track this year.  

"These young men have really put in the work academically, on the track, as well as in the community," Murphy said. "The goal is to win at everything." 

Track and Field will be on the road to compete at the NCAA East First Round Regionals on Wednesday, May 27th through Saturday, May 30th in Lexington, Ky.