WASHINGTON (January 20, 2022) – Howard University men's and women's track & field teams look to keep the momentum going in Annapolis, Md., for the Wesley Brown Invitational, hosted by the Navy Midshipmen. The two-day event (Jan. 21-22) takes place at the Wesley A. Brown Field House.
 
FOLLOW THE ACTION
 
Bison Nation can follow all the action via live results.
 
WESLEY BROWN INVITATIONAL COVID-19 PROCEDURES
 
As per Department of Defense regulations, those who have not been vaccinated must wear a mask at all times when on the USNA grounds and those who have been vaccinated have the option to wear a mask while outdoors but must wear a mask while indoors. Additionally, masks must be worn by everyone regardless of vaccination status while riding the shuttle bus.
 
MEET PREVIEW
 
Howard will compete in a four-team event in Annapolis. Joining the Bison and Midshipmen are George Mason and Princeton.
 
MEN
 
On the track, senior distance runners Ayoade Adebiyi (Virginia Beach, Va.) and Gavin Williams (Dover, Del.) lead the conference in multiple events. Adebiyi tops the league with an 8:48.87 mark in the 3000-meter run while Williams has a league-best time in the mile run, clocking in at 4:19.26.
 
In the field, senior thrower Michael Codrington (Brooklyn, N.Y.) sits No. 1 in the weight throw event, launching over 51 feet (15.80 meters).
 
WOMEN
 
Howard women have dominated on the track and in the field.
 
Newcomer Lamaria Washington (Miami) leads the league with a time of 7.55 in the 60-meter dash. Sophomores Kaya-Rae Dunbar (Burtonsville, Md.) and Alyssa Mark (Orlando, Fla.) have a conference-best in the 60-meter hurdles (8.45) and 800-meter run (2:21.55), respectively.
 
Off the track, reigning Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Field Athlete of the Week Diana Effiom (Dallas) tops the conference with a mark of 17.28 meters (56'9") in the weight throw.
 
Fellow classmate jumper Ja'Tae Joyner (Bowie, Md.) sits atop the MEAC in a pair of categories: long jump (5.90 meters) and triple jump (12.13 meters).
 
LIEUTENANT COMMANDER WESLEY A. BROWN, CEC, USN, (RET.)
 
The late Lieutenant Commander Wesley A. Brown, CEC, USN, (Ret.), who the Navy indoor track and field facility is named for, was the first African American to graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy. Brown was born April 3, 1927 in Baltimore, Md. He graduated from Dunbar High School in Washington, D.C., where he was Cadet Corps Regimental Commander during his senior year. Nominated for admission by New York Congressman Adam Clayton Powell, Brown entered the Academy in 1945 and graduated in June of 1949. Lt. Cmdr. Brown, a veteran of World War II, the Korean and Vietnam Wars, retired in June 1969 after serving 20 years in the Navy's Civil Engineer Corps. He holds the Navy Commendation Medal, World War II and Korean War Victory, Korean Service, and American Theater and Antarctic Service Ribbons. Brown passed away in 2012.
 
LAST TIMEOUT
 
On Jan. 15, both squads won the 2022 HBCU Showcase in New York.
 
For the men, Adebiyi and Codrington led the way with record-setting performances. Adebiyi posted a new school benchmark in the 3000-meter (8:48.54) while the New York native set a new record in the weight throw (15.80 meters).
 
On the women's side, Effiom reset the school record book in the weight throw, tossing 17.28 meters.
 
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
 
On Jan. 28-29, the Bison travel to Lexington, Ky., for the Rob McCravy Invitational, hosted by the Kentucky Wildcats.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.