LEXINGTON, Va. (February 9, 2019) – Howard University men's & women's track & field squads took part in the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) Winter Relays where they contend in several events. The two-day meet was held at the Corps Physical Training Facility in Lexington, Va.
 
Second-year runner Jessika Gbai (Philadelphia) headlined the weekend by winning the women's 200-meter dash with a new school record (24.32). As a result, Gbai owns the school's indoor and outdoor records in the event.
 
Junior Uchechi Onuoha (Yardly, Pa.) dominated the 60-meter hurdles, placing first overall with an 8.80 mark in the finals.
 
Newcomer Kennedy Lewis (Atlanta) finished second in the women's 60-meter dash, clocking in at 7.70.
 
Sophomore Destiny Stanford (Woolwhich Township, N.J.) took ninth (5:13.16) in the mile run while junior Sydney Benson (Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich.) claimed fourth in the 500-meter run.
 
In the field, second-year jumper Rachel Edler (Stone Mountain, Ga.) placed runner-up in the women's triple jump (11.89m; 39'0").
 
On the men's side, freshman Corintheans Payne (Apopka, Fla.) became the latest Bison to reach the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Indoor Championships. The Florida product took ninth in the 200-meter dash, running a qualified time of 22.27.
 
Payne, alongside seniors Kenneth Chigbue (Bowie, Md.) and Korey Lombard (Antioch, Calif.) and freshman Aariq Nixon (Baltimore), ran a season-best in the men's 4x400 relay (3:19.28). With their efforts, the four Bison qualified for the IC4A Indoor Championships in Boston.
 
Individually, Nixon also competed in the 800-meter run where he placed third overall (1:55.73) while fellow classmate Ashton Daniel reached the men's 60-meter hurdles and finished sixth (8.41).
 
To view the 2019 VMI Winter Relays results, please click here.
 
On Feb. 21-23, Howard travels to nearby Landover, Md. for the 2019 MEAC Indoor Track & Field Championships. The three-day event takes place at the Prince George's Sports & Learning Complex.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.