WASHINGTON (May 23, 2018) – On November 20, 2016, senior Dominique Cleggett captured back-to-back Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Championships as a member of the Howard University Women's Volleyball team where they met No. 3 Wisconsin in the NCAA Tournament nearly two weeks afterward. Approximately 18 months later, the New Orleans native finds herself on the big stage again but representing the track & field team as its long jump extraordinaire at the NCAA Preliminary East Round in Tampa, Fla.
 
Before joining the track team, Cleggett received several offers as an outside hitter out of Cabrini High School in The Big Easy but chose The Mecca because of its unique culture.
 
"I came on a visit and loved everything about it," Cleggett stated. "I'm from New Orleans and it was a whole different culture and I liked it."
 
Although Cleggett was a four-year letterwinner in volleyball, she joined her high school's track team during her junior and senior years. Following in the footsteps of her mother, who was primarily a distance runner, she credited her athleticism to her father, a two-sport student-athlete in basketball and football.
 
In her first season under three-time MEAC Champion Shaun Kupferberg, Cleggett and the Bison turned the program from a pushover into a title contender overnight. Howard saw its win total increase by 20 from 2012 to 2013 while reaching the MEAC Semifinals where they fell to eventual champions Hampton, 3-1.
 
After suffering defeat against rival Hampton in the 2014 tournament finals, Howard finally breakthrough and seize the 2015 conference title. From that point on, the Bison would grab two more league championships; thus, solidifying its dominance in the MEAC.
 
"In the beginning, we struggled," Cleggett admitted. "But we added a few pieces and changed the program around. Now, our volleyball team is well-known around the nation."
 
In her four years with the volleyball team, she learned how to become a winner, but staying discipline and practicing were key.
 
"I learned how to stay disciplined," Cleggett commented. "What I've learned in practice, I've tried to transfer over into competition. Volleyball has taught me leadership and sportsmanship while being there for my teammates. I am a hard worker that's aiming to win."
 
After winning her second MEAC Volleyball Championship, Cleggett joined the track team a year ago where she competed in the women's long jump and triple jump. Relying largely on pure athleticism, she recorded three top 10 finishes; however, none in the top 3.
 
In September 2017, Howard Director of Athletics Kery Davis and the Bison family welcomed home former Olympian and HU Alum David Oliver as its new Director for Track & Field.
 
Since his return, Director Oliver and his staff has revamped the program while guiding student-athletes in attaining their full potential, including Cleggett.
 
"[Dominique] Cleggett's biggest attribute is her ability to be explosive," said Director Oliver. "You're always jumping in volleyball, although its more vertical than horizontal. But jumping is jumping and it's all about being explosive and that's what she brings."
 
After the New Year, Director Oliver influenced Howard alum Myles Williams in helping the program as a volunteer coach. Like Cleggett, Williams was a two-sport student-athlete in football and track where his prime focus was field events, such as long jump and triple jump.
 
"Cleggett spent a lot of time focusing on mastering her techniques," Director Oliver stated. "Myles Williams deserves a lot of the credit working with Cleggett. He came on board and since then, she has become a consistent performer. My side of working with Cleggett is conditioning, but the technique aspect is all Myles Williams for sure."
 
Since January, Cleggett has nearly a dozen top 5 performances, including a victory at the historic Penn Relays by winning the event's College Women's Long Jump title (20'3"); thus, becoming the first Howard female student-athlete to win an individual event at the Penn Relays since 1985.
 
"It was pretty cool," Cleggett recalled. "I feel like I've accomplished a lot. I've improved so much. Myles Williams played a big part in my success."
 
As a senior, Cleggett is viewed as one of the leaders on the team with success in both volleyball and track, in which Director Oliver considers a big plus.
 
"Cleggett leads by example," Director Oliver described. "When her younger teammates see what she's done, they try to replicate her success. With her work ethic, she comes from a winning background after having success with our volleyball team."
 
With her collegiate career coming to an end, Cleggett knows her only competition is herself.
 
"I am really focusing on me and not the competition," Cleggett voiced. "I am not trying to beat others, I'm trying to beat what I've done."
 
After college, Cleggett plans to continue her athletic career professionally overseas; however, unsure whether she will pursue a career in volleyball or track.
 
"I don't think I've reached my full potential yet," said Cleggett. "If I continue to train, I really think I can be great. Coach [David] Oliver and his staff has also taught me how to be discipline while remaining focus on the task at-hand."
 
For the track program, Cleggett strongly believes Director Oliver and his staff can take the next steps like volleyball.
 
"As the years past, I think this program is going to take off and grow," Cleggett added. "With the student-athletes they're going to recruit, it's going to prosper like volleyball did."
 
In the modern day, Cleggett is the only Howard female student-athlete to compete at the NCAA Tournament or Preliminary Rounds in two different sports.
 
Cleggett takes part in the NCAA Preliminary East Round Women's Long Jump Thursday, May 24 at 6:30 p.m. for a chance to compete in Oregon. The three-day event (May 24-26) takes place at South Florida (USF) Track & Field Stadium.
 
Fans can follow Cleggett via live results and live video.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.