Men's Track and Field | 12/7/2014 10:35:00 PM

RESULTS

PRINCETON, NJ --- The Howard men's and women's Track & Field teams opened the 2014-15 season at the Princeton University New Year's Invitational. The event field featured fellow Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) members Morgan State and Delaware State along with non-conference opponents like Monmouth University, Rider University, Towson University, various Division II & Division III schools and the host Princeton Tigers.

A pair of freshmen - and members of Head Coach Marc Harrison's second full recruiting class - opened their collegiate career with impressive victories.Clifford Hackworth Cheyenne Bellerand claimed victories in the Long Jump and Shot Put respectively. Hackworth won the Long Jump with a leap of 7.20 meters (23 feet, 9 inches) while Bellerand took the Shot Put with a throw of 13.15 meters (41 feet 1 inch).

"I felt very proud of myself, being able to win at this level and representing Howard University. Once I put on this uniform, I knew the expectation was to win today and begin a great season. I still have a lot of work to do, but this is something that I can build on," said Bellerand of her performance.

Added Hackworth, "I was just blessed with the opportunity to get back on that runway. I knew that I would put forth my best effort. That effort was good enough to win today in a tough field. I'm glad I could represent the Bison well."

In addition to Howard's two wins, several top-five finishes and MEAC Indoor Championship qualifier marks were achieved during the meet.

• Basil Niccolls (Men's 300m, 3rd place - 35.58)
• Mohamed Bah ( Men's 1000m, 4th place - 2:36.94)
• Rajae Gayle (Men's Shot Put, MEAC QUALIFIER - 14.53m / 10th place)
• Jordan Summers (Men's High Jump, 4th place, MEAC QUALIFIER - 1.95m / 6 feet, 4.75 inches)
• Hanah Billups (Women's High Jump, 2nd place MEAC QUALIFIER - 1.66m / 5 feet, 5.25 inches)
• Georgia Williams (Women's High Jump, MEAC QUALIFIER - 1.61m / 5 feet, 3.25 inches / 7th place)
• Dominique Bynum-Cooper (Women's Shot Put, MEAC QUALIFIER - 12.75m / 41 feet, 10 inches/ 6th place)

NEXT UP: Howard will open 2015 at the Father Diamond Invitational at George Mason on January 10.