FAIRFAX, Va. (January 5, 2019) – Sophomore runner Jessika Gbai (Philadelphia) and the Howard University Women's Track & Field team put on an impressive display at the Father Diamond Invitational, hosted by George Mason.
 
In the running events, the Philadelphia native headlined the day by becoming the seventh Bison to qualify for the 2019 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Men's & Women's Indoor Track & Field Championships in nearby Landover, Md.
 
After finishing third in the women's 60-meter dash prelims (7.73), Gbai followed up with a new personal best in the finals, clocking in at 7.69. With her efforts, she also qualified for the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Indoor Championships in Boston.
 
Junior Uchechi Onuoha (Yardly, Pa.) returned from the break in midseason form, taking second in the 60-meter hurdles (8.84) after being edged out by Texas State's Kylah Smith (8.64).
 
Freshmen Kennedy Lewis (Atlanta) and Makenli Raspberry (Houston) won their respective events. Lewis earned the top spot in the 200-meter dash (25.72) while Raspberry claimed first in the 400-meter dash (59.08).
 
In the field, newcomer Nia Guine-Herndon (Jacksonville, Fla.) finished second overall in the women's triple jump (36'7") after Texas State's Taydria Nickerson jumped 37'9" (11.55m).
 
Second-year thrower Kaylah Clark (Miami) claimed fourth in the women's shot put after recording a new personal best, tossing 41' (12.50m).
 
To view results from the 2019 Father Diamond Invitational, please Click Here.
 
HU goes to New York for two days, competing in the HBCU Challenge (Jan. 11) and the Great Dane Invitational (Jan. 12), hosted by Albany.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.