WASHINGTON (December 3, 2019) – Howard University enters Year Three under Director of Track & Field and HU Alum
David Oliver where they are looking to build upon their success from the previous two seasons.
The former Olympian looks forward to another successful indoor and outdoor seasons but envisions a big leap along the way.
"I would like to see a leap in the indoor and outdoor [Mid-Eastern Athletic] conference championships," said Oliver about his season goals. "We want to get a few more individuals to qualify to the NCAA preliminary rounds."
THE TEAM
Two years ago, Director Oliver, Associate Head Coach
Jessica Cousins and Assistant Coach
Andrew Murphy have gradually turned the program around by signing back-to-back solid recruiting classes.
Pivotal veterans
Oluchi Ike (Upper Marlboro, Md.),
Sydney Benson (Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich.),
Ozioma Scott (Georgetown, Guyana),
Jessika Gbai (Philadelphia) and
Uchechi Onuoha (Yardly, Pa.) headline the women's side. All five Bison represented HU in the 2019 NCAA Outdoor Regionals in Jacksonville, Fla.
With no seniors on the men's side, sophomore standouts
Jermanie Byrd (Miami, Fla.) and
Mekhi Abbott (Monroe, N.J.) lead HU into the upcoming season.
"We definitely have a young men's team," Director Oliver added. "But [they] are definitely able to reach a high level, if they stay consistent and use each other as that extra push."
THE UPCOMING SEASON
Howard's upcoming schedule features nine indoor meets and 11 outdoor events, including the NCAA Regionals and Finals.
INDOOR SCHEDULE
During the indoor campaign, HU returns to familiar meets, such as the Eastern Shore Cappy Anderson Invite (Dec. 7), Father Diamond Invitational (Jan. 4) and Darius Dixon Invitational (Feb. 14-15); however, face tough competition at the Terrapin Invitational (Jan. 18), Navy Invitational II (Feb. 1) and South Carolina Invitational (Feb. 7-8).
The biggest test during the indoor season will be the Virginia Tech Invitational (Jan. 10-11).
"The Virginia Tech Invitational will be a big test for us early in the [indoor] season," Director Oliver expressed. "This will prepare us for the MEAC indoor championships."
Rounding out the season, the Bison will compete at the MEAC Indoor Championships (Feb. 27-29) in Landover, Md.
OUTDOOR SCHEDULE
HU's rigorous, challenging outdoor season consist of a pair of trips to Gainesville, Fla. for the Florida Relays (April 2-4) and Tom Jones Invite (April 18) and the prestigious Penn Relays (April 23-25).
On April 11, Howard and Gallaudet University will host the inaugural Bison Invitational.
"[This is] a good partnership that will help both programs," Director Oliver stated. "This will bring another level of competition [to D.C.]."
The Championship season concludes the latter part of the slate, beginning with the MEAC Outdoor Championships in Greensboro, N.C. (April 29-May 2).
FIRST BIG TEST
Saturday (Dec. 7), Director Oliver and the squad travel to Princess Anne, Md. for the Eastern Shore Cappy Anderson Indoor Invite, hosted by Maryland Eastern Shore.
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at
www.HUBison.com.
