WASHINGTON (March 13, 2021) – Howard University men's track & field team put on a strong performance in their season opening events at the Wendy's Navy Seahawk Invitational (March 12) and the Wendy's Teal Seahawk Invitational (March 13). Both meets were held at UNC Wilmington.
 
Over the weekend, HU won 10 events while setting new personal bests along with way.
 
"I went into the competition with very realistic expectations for the program," said Howard Director of Track & Field David Oliver. "Given the circumstances, the squad succeeded what I expected. It's been nearly two years since our student-athletes have competed outdoors, but we refuse to make excuses. We produced plenty of strong results over the course of two days and the results speak for themselves."
 
Sophomore Ezra Montiero (New Port, R.I.) highlighted the weekend, winning the hammer throw with a new school record (49.83m; 163.5 feet). All three of his attempts shattered the previous mark held by his throwing coach Danny Stokes.
 
"As usual, Coach Stokes is doing an amazing job with the development of our throwers," Oliver expressed. "Given their practice limitations facility wise, the group never makes excuses and continues to perform at a high level. It starts at the top with his direction."
 
Other notable field student-athlete included newcomer Zachary Hawkins (Loganville, Ga.) winning the triple jump, leaping nearly 45 feet (13.56m).
 
Sophomore Richard Ninamou (Louisville) blew away the field in his first collegiate outdoor competition on the track, winning the 100-meter (10.66) and 200-meter (21.59) dashes. His performance in the 100-meter was the fastest by any HU runner since 1990.
 
Graduate Casimir Tawiah (Lexington Park, Md.) won a pair of events in the 110-meter hurdles. Friday, he set a new personal best (14.12) and followed up with another solid outing Saturday (14.41).
 
Sophomore Cameron Kee (Lawnside, N.J.) and junior Corinthians Payne (Apopka, Fla.) took first (54.27) and second (54.32), respectively, in the men's 400-meter hurdles, each producing new personal bests.
 
"It was impressive to watch," Oliver stated. "I was moderately pleased with our men's 110-meter hurdlers. We've got a lot to clean up in that area and I have large expectations for that group. A trip to the NCAAs is the only acceptable result for that group by season's end."
 
Other noteworthy performances on the track included graduate Qaseem Wajd (Atlanta) winning the 800-meter run (1:58.28) and third-year distance runner Gavin Williams (Dover, Del.) taking first in the 1500-meter run, clocking in at 4:07.44.
 
On March 25-27, the Bison travel to Raleigh, N.C. for the Raleigh Relays.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.