2019 Labor Day Classic Results (Men) | 2019 Labor Day Classic Results (Women)

WASHINGTON (August 31, 2019) – Howard University men's & women's cross country teams hosted the second annual Labor Day Classic where the men defend its crown with a first-place victory. The women finished second behind crosstown rival Catholic. The event took place at Kenilworth Park.
 
"I'm very pleased with the entirety of the second annual [Howard University] Labor Day Classic," said Howard Director of Track & Field David Oliver. "The coaching staff put a ton of effort into this event and it was a resounding success. We doubled the number of participating teams from a year ago and we're excited to see how this event grows. D.C. Parks and Recreation has been a great partner in the event and [we] can't thank them enough."
 
Individually, second-year runners Melanie White (Orlando, Fla.) and Gavin Williams (Dover, Del.) headlined the morning with gold.
 
"It was great to get two individual wins from sophomores Melanie White and Gavin Williams," Director Oliver stated. "The freshmen stepped up and performed very well. This was a great springboard to the 2019 season."
 
Williams placed first after registering a 16:16.42 mark, which fell just short of the school record, held by the great Mohamed Bah.
 
"Gavin [Williams] missed the school record by less than two tenths of a second," Director Oliver continued. "He really put in the work over the summer and [he] is a very driven young man on and off the course. I expect him to have an impactful second year on campus."
 
Fellow classmate Ayoade Adebiyi (Virginia Beach, Va.) claimed second while junior Anthony Gordon (Clinton, Md.) finished fifth overall.
 
For the women, White won her first collegiate cross country meet with a 20:28.61 time.
 
"[She] is asserting herself," Director Oliver added. "She is a leader of the cross country team now that Destiny Stanford has been lost for the season."
 
Other notable Bison include newcomer Dasia Wilson (Philadelphia) taking seventh in her collegiate debut.
 
In three weeks (Sept. 21), Howard returns to action for the Eastern Shore Invitational, hosted by Maryland Eastern Shore.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.