The University of the Virgin Islands enters the 2026 men’s track and field season with a small but balanced roster and a clear point of emphasis under head coach Dale Joseph. Now in his third consecutive season leading the Buccaneers, Joseph is continuing the work of revitalizing a program he previously guided from 2007 to 2020, with UVI set to rely on a six-man team that features sprinters, middle-distance depth, and javelin throwers.
The Buccaneers’ identity starts with versatility. Team captain Rayhan Sabur is expected to be one of the anchors in the 100- and 200-meter races, joined by two other sprinters, sophomore Gabriel Elcock and junior Ahsan Ambo, in those events. Senior V’Andre Rochester gives UVI another option on the track, competing in the 200 and 400. Freshman Lance Latare adds range to the lineup by taking on both the 1,500 meters and the javelin, while Zahir Mbengue will focus solely on the javelin throw. That mix gives UVI event coverage across the track and field slate, even with a compact roster.
Elcock is the lone returner from last season, while Rochester and Sabur are back with the program after a year away. Their most recent competition came at the 2024 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Championship, giving the Buccaneers some experience to build around. Ambo is in his first season with the team, and freshmen Latare and Mbengue will make their collegiate track and field debuts this spring, making development just as important as results in the early meets.
“The team is relatively inexperienced, and we are throwing them into the fire early on and will see how they perform,” said Joseph. “However, the team has been working hard, and I think they will fare well. They’ll be put to the test when we line up in our first few meets. We’ll be able to see where we currently stand and build towards our ultimate goal at the end of the season, which is a good showing at the conference championships.
The season opens March 28 at Nova Southeastern University, where UVI will line up against regional South Florida institutions in its first test of the year. The Buccaneers then head to Daytona Beach for the Embry-Riddle Running Elements Classic, scheduled for April 2-4, a meet UVI has regularly attended. Those opening competitions should give Joseph a clearer read on his group and on how quickly the newcomers can settle into collegiate competition.
The schedule builds toward the HBCUAC Track and Field Championships, where the Buccaneers will close the season against familiar conference competition. The HBCUAC Track and Field Championship is scheduled for April 30 – May 2 in Shreveport, Louisiana, with the championship meet serving as the program’s main target. For a team still shaping its depth, the formula is straightforward: score where the sprinters can create opportunities, find points in the javelin, and continue the steady rebuild Joseph is trying to establish with this year’s group.
