WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue Track & Field’s Samuel Vessat set a French 400m record on his way to the title in the event at the French National Championships.
Vessat’s rise to stardom in 2026 continued Sunday when he ran 44.24 to break Leslie Djhone’s previous record of 44.46 set on Aug. 29, 2007. His previous personal best was 44.47 set at the 2026 NCAA Outdoor Championships.
Prior to breaking the French national record in the 400m overall, Vessat was already the French short track record holder in the event after he clocked a 45.30 at the 2026 NCAA Indoor Championships. His 44.24 now places Vessat 13th in the world this year.
A former Division II basketball player-turned-track star, Vessat’s 2026 features three First Team All-American honors and a pair of Big Ten silver medals in the 4x400m. He finished fourth in the 400m and 4x400m at NCAA outdoors and was sixth in the 400m at NCAA indoors. He is the Boilers’ indoor and outdoor 400m record holder.
The men’s 4x400m that took fourth at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in 3:00.56, second-fastest in Big Ten history, is set to return all-four runners in Victory Achakpoekri, Vessat, Jax Coleman and Zyan Greene. In addition, Zach Mylenek, who was an alternate for the national meet and helped Purdue win two Big Ten silver medals, also returns. Through the portal, Purdue added Shaemar Uter from Texas Tech who has a 45.52 personal best that would rank third in school history.
Before the Boilers get the track season started in January 2027, the cross country team kicks off their season in September.
