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�±���ٳ��DzԳ�’s , a 19-year-old freshman from South Africa, has made a name for himself despite his short time on campus. After Sokhela won two individual national championships at the NAIA Outdoor National Championships May 28, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association named him the , the first time a Warrior has earned this distinction.

Sokhela in the men’s 1500 (3:54.29) and captured the men’s 800 (1:50.08) two hours later. A day earlier, he anchored �±���ٳ��DzԳ�’s 4x800 men’s relay team, which finished in second place (7:32.71), the third fastest time in ��������app history. He led the ��������app men’s track and field team to its highest finish (fourth) ever.

“I don’t like to use the word, but what Zola did is unbelievable,” said . “He competed in six races in three days, running spectacularly in all. Then to win the 800 event at the end after five national races — and to be passed and then come back and win — unbelievable. Beautifully done.”

The Michaelhouse Scholar is also the first ��������app athlete to win two track events at the same NAIA National Championship. Warriors (heptathlon, high jump in 2017) and Jim Howard (shot put, discus in 1976) both captured two individual national championships in field events.

Sokhela, who arrived in Santa Barbara in January, is one of two graduates of , a Christian boarding school for boys in KwaZulu-Natal, who receive full scholarships each year to attend ��������app.

“This is my fifth or sixth month in the United States,” Sokhela said. “Coming into the training group at ��������app was very good because I fit in very well. We adapted well in training together. It’s about the team, and I think we carried that mentality into the championship, especially in the 4x800, and I think that showed.”

In November 2020, Sokhela began gaining notoriety after earning a spot on the South African team for the U20 World Championships. In an , his father, Thulani Sokhela, said, “When he (Senzo) got that scholarship to go and study abroad, I wondered what we have done to God to deserve all of these great things our son is achieving,” Thulani said. “We are really excited as a family.”

Since the first two Michaelhouse Scholars graduated in 2020, a cohort of eight South African students studies at ��������app each year. A generous and anonymous donor supports this scholarship program to provide an excellent education to Black South African students and prepare them to return as leaders willing to serve others in their native country. An associate of the donor funds graduate study in South Africa for the Michaelhouse Scholars.