Men's Track and Field | 1/12/2015 2:08:00 PM

FAIRFAX, VA --- The Howard University women's and men's track & field teams turned in some outstanding efforts in the Father Diamond Invitational at George Mason this past Saturday. The Bison men placed third in the competition with 87 points while the women finished fifth with 61.5.

Cheyenne Bellerand, a freshman from Emerson, Va., showed that she is going to be a force to deal with. She captured the shot put with a career-best of 45', 7 ¼".

Robert Mercer, a junior from Suitland, Md. and one of the premier pole vaulters in the MEAC, finished third in the event with a effort of 14' 7 ¼" while Jermaine Boykins, a sophomore from Emporia, Va., placed fifth in the 60 meter hurdles, clocking in a 8.26.

"It was a good start on both sides," said Howard head coach Marc Harrison.  "Cheyenne really loves to compete and is a great competitor.  Boykins is coming along pretty good and Mercer really shocked me with his performance after coming off a wrist injury from football season."

Bellerand qualified for both the MEAC and the ECACs while Boykins and Mercer qualified for the MEAC Indoor championships. Mercer is the defending champion in the Pole Vault.

Skylar Buchannon, a junior from Duarte, Calif., finished fourth in the 60 meter hurdles with a time of 7.75 to qualify for the MEACs.

The teams' next meet will be this coming Saturday when the teams travel to New York to compete in the NYC Gotham Cup.