ANNAPOLIS, Md. (February 1, 2020) – Howard University freshman
Dasia Wilson (Philadelphia) and junior
Rachel Edler (Stone Mountain, Ga.) headlined Saturday with a pair of record-setting performances at the Navy Invitational II in Landover, Md.
Wilson broke a 10-year school record in the women's 800-meter run with a first-place time of 2:11.67 while Edler reset the program's triple jump mark, leaping 12.25 meters (40'02.25"), which also won her gold.
"They've put in the work," said Howard Director of Track & Field
David Oliver on the two record-setting performances. "With MEAC Indoor [Championships] just a few weeks away, they've definitely put themselves in a position to come home with some hardware."
After Saturday's meet, three more Bison qualified for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Indoor Championships in Landover, Md.
Second-year sprinter
Jessica Wright (Durham, N.C.) placed third in the women's 400-meter dash with a qualifying time of 57.19 while fellow classmate
Melanie White (Orlando, Fla.) reached Landover in the mile-run, clocking in at 5:15.56.
In the field, sophomore
Ja'Tae Joyner (Bowie, Md.) advanced with a second-place finish in the women's long jump, vaulting more than 18 feet (5.59 meters).
"We were very happy to get a chance to compete close to home this weekend before our big trip next week," Director Oliver stated. "It was great to see our Howard administrators supporting the squad and getting an invite to compete at The Naval Academy is a big honor. We definitely represented ourselves well."
Howard racked up four individual victories on the day, including wins from senior
Sydney Benson (Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich./1000-meter run/3:00.57) and junior
Ameenah Saalih (Willingboro, N.J./200-meter dash/24.41).
"Our women really stepped up," Director Oliver added. "An overall good day for us."
Next weekend (Feb. 7-8), the Bison will journey to Columbia, S.C. for the South Carolina Invitational, hosted by the Gamecocks.
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at
www.HUBison.com.