LYNCHBURG, Va. (February 15, 2020) – Junior sprinter Jessika Gbai (Philadelphia) continued her outstanding indoor campaign with another record-setting performance at the annual Darius Dixon Invitational, hosted by Liberty University.
 
The Philadelphia native shattered her own mark in the women's 200-meter dash, producing a 23.78 time, which ranks seventh in the conference.
 
"We had a really good feeling that Jessika [Gbai] was going to have a special race in the 200 [dash]," said Howard Director of Track & Field David Oliver. "She definitely delivered with a massive personal best and school record. It was a brilliant run by her, and we are all excited to see how the rest of 2020 turns out for her."
 
Despite breaking the overall meet record, she placed runner-up in the event by one-hundredth of a second to Norfolk State's Kiara Grant, who ranks No. 11 in the country.
 
"This weekend was the last tune up for the squad heading into MEAC [Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference] Championships," Director Oliver added. "We couldn't ask for a better place than at the fantastic Liberty University facility. It was a great opportunity to build upon the great results we got last weekend in South Carolina. Unfortunately, we folded in some of our strong events, but some took advantage."
 
Third-year runner Ozioma Scott (Georgetown, Guyana) had her best outing in the women's 400-meter dash, recording the league's sixth-fastest time with a new personal best (55.44).
 
"Last year, Ozi [Ozioma Scott] tasted the national spotlight for the first time and she's on pace to improve upon her national standing in 2020," said Director Oliver. "She provided her finest indoor 400-meter race ever at Liberty [University]. Her and Coach Jessica Cousins have really combined well over the course of her time with us, and [they] are building something very special."
 
In the field, DMV product Ja'Tae Joyner (Bowie, Md.) continues to impress in the women's long jump, leaping a new personal record (5.83 meters). With her efforts, she holds the MEAC's third-best mark.
 
"Ja'Tae Joyner has come into the program this year and [has] been a real difference maker for us," Director Oliver expressed. "She'll be in position to collect a few medals in the jumps before it's all said and done for her."
 
On Feb. 27-29, HU concludes its indoor season at the MEAC Indoor Championships in Landover, Md., where Director Oliver expects a championship mindset going into the meet.
 
"With indoor championships on the horizon, we've got to click into more of a championship mentality," Director Oliver added. "The points will be won and lost on that side of things, more so than the physical side in about 10 days."
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.