CHICAGO (February 12, 2022) – Howard University seniors Jessika Gbai (Philadelphia) and Gavin Williams (Dover, Del.) headlined the weekend for track and field, each producing record-setting performances at the Badgers Windy City Invite, hosted by the University of Wisconsin.
 
On Day One, Gbai, along with fellow classmate Ameenah Saalih (Willingboro, N.J.) and newcomer Sherri-Anne Norton (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), each advanced to the 60-meter dash semifinal, clocking in at 7:54, 7.65 and 7.63, respectively. Gbai's mark tied her with Saalih, which she set back in January 2020.
 
All three Bison missed the cut for the 60-meter dash final.
 
Williams placed eighth overall in the mile run, recording a new school benchmark of 4:14.10. Mohamad Bah held the previous mark for five years (4:18.19).
 
In the men's 60-meter hurdles, seniors Jermanie Byrd (Miami) and Darian Clyburn (Louisville) and sophomore Zachary Hawkins (Loganville, Ga.) reached the final round with times of 8.04, 8.30 and 8.27, respectively.
 
In the final, Byrd finished runner-up (8.05), followed by Hawkins (5^th/8.30) and Clyburn (7^th/8.41).
 
Sophomore Kaya-Rae Dunbar (Burtonsville, Md.) represented HU in the women's short hurdles, advancing to the final round after running 8.56 in the prelims.
 
The Maryland native placed eighth in the final with an 8.48 mark.
 
In the field, freshman Chase Drewery (Waldorf, Md.) competed in the triple jump where he leaped 14.65 meters, placing him sixth in the event.
 
In the women's weight throw, two-time Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Field Athlete of the Week Diana Effiom (Dallas) took seventh overall after tossing 16.85 meters.
 
On Feb. 21-23, Howard travels to Virginia Beach, Va., for the MEAC Indoor Track & Field Championships.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.