VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (February 22, 2022) – Howard University men's and women's track & field teams lead the pack on Day One of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Indoor Championships, held inside the Virginia Beach Sports Center in Virginia Beach, Va.
 
After Day One, HU women hold a four-point lead over Morgan State while the Bison men share the top spot with Norfolk State.
 
Seniors Gavin Williams (Dover, Del.) and Ayoade Adebiyi (Virginia Beach, Va.) led the way on the men's side, finishing first (15:16.46) and second (15:20.02), respectively, in the 5000-meter run. In Williams' efforts, the Delaware native set a new school record in the event, shattering the previous mark held by Malik Kosanovic (15:38.64).
 
Freshman Julian Lawson (Sewell, N.J.) also competed in the 5000-meter run, scoring two points for the Bison while taking seventh place (16:15.97).
 
The trio accounted for all 20 points on the men's side.
 
For the women, newcomer Nikayla Fitzgerald (Kyle, Texas) won gold in the long jump, leaping over 19 feet (5.84 meters). The Texas product scored 10 points in the event.
 
Freshmen Joslyn Crosby (Bossier City, La.) and Camille Egbula (Simpsonville, S.C.) took part in the 5000-meter run and finished second (18:37.82) and fifth (19:30.83), respectively. Collectively, the rookies combined for 12 points.
 
In the women's 200-meter dash, all six Bison advanced to the next round.
 
Senior Jessika Gbai (Philadelphia) led the way with a qualifying time of 24.03. Joining Gbai in the next round include fellow classmates Kennedy Lewis (Atlanta) and Ameenah Saalih (Willingboro, N.J.) and freshmen Sherri-Anne Norton (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), Tiffani-Rae Pittman (Bowie, Md.) and Lamaria Washington (Miami).
 
Howard continues its quest for MEAC Championships Tuesday (Feb. 22). The action starts at 9 a.m.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.