EUGENE, Ore. (July 11, 2023) - The Howard University men's and women's track team continued its climb to respectability as an up-and-coming program in the sport.
 
The prestigious USA Track & Field (USATF) Outdoor trials, which was held at legendary Heyward Stadium in Eugene, Ore. this past weekend, featured some of the top athletes, professionals and amateurs vying for a place on the national USA Team.
 
Over the past three years, the Bison program, under the leadership of Howard Director of Track & Field David Oliver, represented well despite not having anyone make the team.
 
All-American hurdler Jessica Wright (Durham, N.C.) advanced all the way to the semifinal round but failed to make the final with a time of 56.45. The time fell just one hundredth of a second from advancing to the coveted finals.
 
Dylan Beard (Baltimore) also advanced to the semis and clocked in at 13.56, good for seventh overall.
 
Rising sophomore Aniya Woodruff (Harrisburn, N.C.) competed in the U20 division and turned in a personal best (58.70) in the 400-meter hurdles, good for sixth place overall.
 
"It was a tremendous experience for me personally," said Woodruff, a criminology major. "It has long been a dream of mine to compete in Heyward. And then to be around all the pros and great athletes during the week was a great motivator for me. To make it to the finals and place was an extra bonus. It sets the tone for the future."
 
Fellow classmate Jazmyn Wajd (Tampa, Fla.) finished with a 14.82 mark in the 100-meter hurdles of the U20 Division.
 
Wajd, also a criminology major, added, "To be on that stage and see all those great athletes work and prepare for a big meet on this big stage is very inspiring for me. Since this is my first time around, I learned a lot about how important it is to balance your academics, practice and meets because it is a long season. It is certainly something to build on."
 
Woodruff and Wajd are both positioned to continue the tradition that has been established.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.