PRINCESS ANNE, Md. (December 7, 2019) – Howard University women's track & field team began the indoor season winning the 2019 Eastern Shore Cappy Anderson Invitational for the second straight year, hosted by Maryland Eastern Shore.
 
HU dominated the event, scoring 159 points, with a balance dose of runners and throwers.
 
"Overall, as a staff, we are extremely happy with how today went," said Howard Director of Track and Field David Oliver. "This ice breaker meet at Maryland Eastern Shore is always a good opportunity for the entire group to get a chance to go out and compete after all these weeks of training."
 
The day was capped off by a record-setting performance from second-year thrower Diana Effiom (Dallas) in the women's weight throw, tossing over 50 feet (15.27 meters; 50'1.25"). The Texas native shattered the previous mark, held by former teammate Mi-ah Watkins (14.83 meters), who set the benchmark a year ago in the same event.
 
"We had some outstanding individual performances today, highlighted by Diana Effiom," Director Oliver stated. "[She] started the day off by breaking the school record in the weight throw on consecutive throws. Watching her develop under the tutelage of Danny Stokes has been amazing to watch."
 
For her efforts, she qualified for the 2020 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Indoor Championships in Landover, Md.
 
Other notable performances in the field include junior Kaylah Clark (Miami) winning the women's shot put with a qualifying mark of more than 41 feet (12.63 meters; 41'5.25").
 
On the track, the distance medley relay squad of sophomores Essence Baker (South Brunswick, N.J.) and Jessica Wright (Durham, N.C.) and freshmen Breanna McDonald (Bethesda, Md.) and Dasia Wilson (Philadelphia) placed first overall, clocking in at 12:58.91.
 
Third-year sprinter Jessika Gbai (Philadelphia) won the women's 60-meter dash with a qualifying time of 7.66 while sophomore Kennedy Lewis (Atlanta) claimed first in the 200-meter dash, registering a 25.44 mark.
 
To view results from the 2019 Eastern Shore Cappy Anderson Indoor Invitational, please click here.
 
Howard returns to the track in 2020 when they travel to Fairfax, Va., for the Father Diamond Invitational (Jan. 4), hosted by George Mason.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.