Khchina Earns National Athlete of the Week

NEW ORLEANS, La. (Jan. 26, 2026) – South Carolina Track & Field distance standout Jaouad Khchina has garnered national attention as he was named USTFCCCA National Athlete of the Week. The recognition was announced by the USTFCCCA office on Monday afternoon.

Khchina set a new program record in the 1000m at the Orange & Purple Invite on Friday morning, winning with a time of 2:17.36 for the second fastest mark in collegiate history behind Tinoda Matsatsa’s year-old best of 2:16.84. Paced through 800 meters by teammate Ricky Circelli, Kchina closed hard to win the section by more than three seconds to set a new Clemson Indoor Track Center facility record.

The Moroccan standout looks poised to improve on a strong sophomore campaign for the Gamecocks after finishing fourth in the mile at the SEC Indoor Championships and sixth in the 1500 meters at the outdoor championships.

Khchina is the second male athlete in South Carolina program history to be named M-F Athletic National Athlete of the Week during the indoor season, joining Anthony Greenhow, Jr. in 2022.

Khchina and the Gamecocks are back in action this week when South Carolina heads to Fayetteville, Ark. to compete in the Razorback Invitational on Friday, Jan. 30 and Saturday, Jan. 31.