LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 23, 2024) – Howard University women's track standouts graduates Kailei Collins (Houston) and Simone Watkins (Frisco, Texas) moved on to the NCAA East Regional Quarterfinal Round after incredible performances on Day Two in Lexington, Ky., hosted by the University of Kentucky.
 
Collins highlighted the day with a pair of automatic qualifying (AQ) performances in the 100-meter (100m) and 200-meter (200m) dashes. After running a personal best (11.37) in the 100m, the Houston native followed up with another personal best in the 200m (23.18).
 
DMV native junior Tiffani-Rae Pittman (Bowie, Md.) also competed in the same races, but came up short in advancing to Saturday's quarterfinal round despite putting up personal bests in both events.
 
Georgia's Kaila Jackson had the fastest mark in both races, including a new facility record in the 100m (10.95).
 
Saturday's 100m quarterfinal round is slated for 6:35 p.m., followed by the 200m quarterfinal at 7:50 p.m.
 
In the 400-meter hurdles (400H), Watkins moved on with a non AQ time of 57.29 (personal best).
 
Fellow classmate Cathrina Morris (Auburndale, Fla.) and second-year Bison Aniya Woodruff (Harrisburn, N.C.) also took part in the race, but fell short of advancing. Morris also competed in the short hurdles (100-meter) but was unable to secure a spot in Saturday's quarterfinal.
 
Michigan's Savannah Sutherland posted the best time with a new facility record (54.61), breaking a 10-year benchmark set back in 2014.
 
Saturday's 400H quarterfinals is scheduled for 7:25 p.m.
 
Sophomore Zoe Turner (Mableton, Ga.) participated in the 400-meter dash, but fell short of making Saturday's race.
 
In the field, fifth-year Bison Erin Hatcher (Silver Spring, Md.) became the first women's thrower to make the regional round in program history. The DMV native tossed over 185 feet (56.44 meters) in the hammer but came up short in advancing to Eugene.
 
Saturday's action commences with the women's 4x100 relay squad at 5 p.m.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.