LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 30, 2026) – Howard University women's track & field program punched four entries to the NCAA Outdoor Championships after Saturday's thrilling quarterfinal round.
 
Graduate Marcia Sey (London, United Kingdom), juniors Yahnari Lyons (Hampton, Ga.) and Mackenzie Robinson (Ypsilanti, Mich.) and rookie Nilijah Darden (Greensboro, N.C.) opened the evening on a high note, earning a spot in the 4x100 relay semifinal round with an automatic qualifying (AQ) time of 43.23 (season best).
 
Individually, Lyons advanced to Eugene after running an AQ mark of 22.72 in the 200-meter dash. The Georgia native also competed in the 100-meter dash, clocking in at 11.33, but came up short in reaching the championship round.
 
Second-year Bison Cenaiya Billups (Denver) and All-American senior Aniya Woodruff (Harrisburg, N.C.) made the biggest statement of the night, each winning their respective heats in the long hurdles (400-meter). Billups reached her first NCAA Outdoor Championships after posting a new school benchmark (55.09) while the North Carolina product notched a new personal best (55.43).
 
Billups, Robinson, Woodruff and senior Zoe Turner (Mableton, Ga.) closed out the night, coming up just short of advancing in the 4x400 relay (3:32.26). Robinson filled in for sophomore Lindsay Johnson (Detroit), who was a late scratch.
 
In the field, senior Kelis Armstrong (Dallas) did not participate in the triple jump due to injury.
 
The 2026 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships will be held June 10-13 in Eugene, Ore.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.