WASHINGTON (August 1, 2025) – With summer in full swing, the competition in track & field heats up with several Howard University current and former standouts representing Bison Nation in two events: Toyota USATF Outdoor & Para National Championships (July 31-Aug. 3) and Novuna UK Athletics Championships Birmingham (Aug. 2-3).
TOYOTA USATF OUTDOOR & PARA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Four Bison are scheduled to compete at historic Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore., led by two-time All-American
Jessica Wright (Durham, N.C.). Wright, one of the most decorated Bison in program history, made a name for herself in the long hurdles and member of the 4x400 relay squad. Currently, she remains the MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) and school's 400-meter hurdles record holder (55.81).
Noah Langford (Virginia Beach, Va.) enters the field after a successful run at the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Championships in June. He earned All-American Second Team, posting a 50.50 in the long hurdlers. The Virginia Beach native became the first men's long hurdler All-American since 1989 (John Branch).
Dylan Beard (Baltimore) looks to etch himself in the record books after defending his title at the 2025 Millrose Games with a 7.38 mark in the 60-meter hurdles. The Baltimore product wrapped up his collegiate career as a three-time All-MEAC First Team selection.
Ariana Smith (Pennsville, N.J.) arrives in Eugene after making the NCAA Outdoor East Preliminary Round in Jacksonville, Fla. In her one season at The Mecca, she became a two-time MEAC Champion in the 400-meter hurdles and member of the 4x400 relay team.
NOVUNA UK ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS BIRMINGHAM
Over the pond, All-Americans
Marcia Sey (London, United Kingdom) and
Samuel Bennett (Langdon Hills, United Kingdom) are set to compete in the short hurdles.
In June, Sey had her best performance in a Bison uniform, winning bronze in the 100-meter hurdles with a 12.93 time. Her third-place finish at Eugene is the highest in program history. She also was a member of the first All-American 4x100 relay squad in school history.
A year ago, Bennett set his eyes on a trip to Paris after saving his best performance in the 110-meter hurdles final round at the 2024 NCAA Outdoor Championships. He took sixth place (13.45), becoming the first Bison in more than 20 years to score points at the national stage.
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at
www.HUBison.com.
