VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (February 23, 2022) – Howard University women's track and field program won the 2022 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Indoor Championship with a meet-record performance. HU claimed its first indoor title since 1989 (fourth overall).
"Every Bison that participated scored for us," said Howard Director of Track & Field
David Oliver, who was named MEAC Outstanding Coach after the meet. "They really brought their 'A' game this week and got the result we've been working for since training started. We've waited 33 years to lift this title and it's very rewarding."
Howard finished with a new meet-record 184 points, cruising past second-place Norfolk State (149).
"In my first indoor conference meet, the women finished seventh and scored 24 points," Oliver recalled. "For us to set the MEAC all-time scoring record in the process of winning this title is icing on the cake."
Third-year Bison
Minyarn Smalls (Cary, N.C.) guided the Bison from start-to-finish; thus, being named MEAC Outstanding Field Performer.
"Special props to Minyarn," Oliver added. "She scored 19 points and won Most Outstanding Field Performer. I'm so proud of her."
Tuesday (Feb. 22), Smalls won the MEAC Pentathlon title and took third overall in the shot put (12.94 meters).
Senior
Ja'Tae Joyner (Bowie, Md.) and newcomer
Nikayla Fitzgerald (Kyle, Texas) competed in the triple jump, placing third (11.88 meters) and seventh (11.37 meters), respectively.
On the track, senior
Jessica Wright (Durham, N.C.) dominated the 400-meter dash with a record-setting performance, clocking in at a new school benchmark of 53.20. The previous record was held by Lauren McNary (53.78) in 2009.
Fellow classmate
Ozioma Scott (Georgetown, Guyana) also took part in the 400-meter race, finishing fourth (55.08) while scoring five points.
Scott, Wright and seniors
Jessika Gbai (Philadelphia) and
Ameenah Saalih (Willingboro, N.J.) won the 4x400 relay (3:38.67), falling just short of breaking the school mark (3:38.18).
Gbai, Saalih and freshmen
Sherri-Anne Norton (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) and
Tiffani-Rae Pittman (Bowie, Md.) made the 60-meter dash final where Norton took first place with a new school record of 7.46. The Florida native shattered the previous mark set yesterday by Gbai (7.53).
Six Bison reached the final round of the 200-meter dash, led by Gbai winning the race with a 23.78 time (tied school record). Pittman (24.13/4
th), Norton (24.37/5
th), Saalih (24.78/7
th), senior
Kennedy Lewis (Atlanta/24.96/8
th) and freshman
Lamaria Washington (Miami/24.50/6
th) all scored for HU.
Newcomer
Joslyn Crosby (Bossier City, La.) scored 12 points Wednesday after finishing fifth in the mile run (5:18.92) and second in the 3000-meter run (10:52.70).
Fellow classmate
Camille Egbula (Simpsonville, S.C.) also competed in the mile run, placing fourth overall (5:10.74) while tallying five points.
Egbula and third-year Bison
Dasia Wilson (Philadelphia) saw action in the 800-meter run, claiming eighth (2:22.37) and fifth (2:20.62), respectively.
Sophomore
Kaya-Rae Dunbar (Burtonsville, Md.) won the short hurdles (60-meter) with an 8.40 mark. Freshman
Jasmyn Hunter (Flossmoor, Ill.) finished seventh overall in the event (9.09).
"This is a real testament to the staff:
Jessica Cousins [Associate Head Coach/Relays],
Wesley Stephens [Assistant Coach/Distance],
Danny Stokes [Assistant Coach/Throwers] and
Franklin Rivers [Assistant Coach/Jumpers]," Oliver ended. "But now, we will turn our focus to outdoor season and must continue to lay the foundation of this program."
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at
www.HUBison.com.
