WASHINGTON (September 1, 2022) – Expectations are high for the Howard University men's and women's cross country program entering the 2022 fall season and well it should be. Both squads finished as runner-up in the 2021 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Championships last year and they both return several All-MEAC selections for this season.
The women will be led by the quartet of
Joslyn Crosby (Bossier City, La.),
Camille Egbula (Simpsonville, S.C.),
Breanna McDonald (Bethesda, Md.) and
Dasia Wilson (Philadelphia).
At last year's championships, Crosby captured third place (19:25.00) while Egbula finished right behind her teammate in fourth (19:30.40). McDonald came in 11th (20:07.80) and Wilson took 14th (27:16.10). They were all named to the All-MEAC Team as a result.
"We have a nice blend of young women and veterans and a talented incoming freshman that gives us a good mix of firepower and experience," said
Wesley Stephens, assistant track and field coach and head cross country coach. "It provides for great competition and flexibility."
McDonald, a senior member of the team who has been a part of the program's growth, offers her perspective.
"I really like the team's dynamic," said McDonald, an information systems major and photography minor and MEAC All-Academic selection. "The runner-up finish served as a confidence booster and we can now compete for the championship."
On the men's side, senior
Ayoade Adebiyi (Virgnia Beach, Va.) and sophomores
Tafari Stephenson (Bowie, Md.) and
Julian Lawson (Sewell, N.J) form the nucleus of a strong trio. Adebiyi finished fourth in the championships with a time of 26:20.40. Stephenson finished 11th (26:59.10) while teammate Lawson came in 14th (27.16.10). They were named to the All-MEAC Team.
"It is obviously a big plus when you have an experienced runner like Adebiyi, who sets the tone with his work ethic and preparation," noted Stephens. "And we are expecting great things from the two sophomores, Stephenson and Lawson."
Adebiyi, a criminal justice major, added that, "We are a very young team with mostly sophomores and freshmen. Since I am the oldest on the team, I have responsibility to provide leadership and I really like what I see in this team. The goal is to contend for the title (MEAC)."
Not only is the program improving and showing progress in the sport, it is also getting it done in the classroom with five Bison being named to the MEAC All-Academic Team.
"We make academics a top priority in this program," stated Stephens. "Because of our reputation for academics here at Howard, we are able to compete for the Black distance runners. They see their success because they have so many others who have gone on to become successful in many arenas following their experiences here at Howard. It is a very important recruiting tool."
Howard opens the season Friday (Sept. 2) at The Mount 5K Duals, hosted by Mount Saint Mary's University in Emmitsburg, Md.
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at
www.HUBison.com.
