EUGENE, Ore. (June 12, 2026) – Howard University junior sprinter Yahnari Lyons (Hampton, Ga.) and sophomore hurdler Cenaiya Billups (Denver) advanced to Saturday's (June 13) final round of the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Ore.
 
Lyons highlighted the evening, winning her 200-meter dash heat with an automatic qualifying (AQ) time of 22.36.
 
Georgia's Adaejah Hodge posted the fastest prelim mark, clocking in at 21.96, followed by Florida's Gabrielle Matthews (22.22) and Texas A&M's Camryn Dickson (22.22).
 
Saturday's 200-meter dash final is slated for 9:37 p.m. (ET).
 
Lyons, graduate Marcia Sey (London, United Kingdom), junior Mackenzie Robinson (Ypsilanti, Mich.) and rookie Nilijah Darden (Greensboro, N.C.) represented HU in the 4x100 relay where they just missed the final round (43.66). Despite the outcome, the four Bison earned Second Team All-American honors.
 
Billups punched her ticket to Championship Saturday with the fastest non-AQ time in the 400-meter hurdles (55.44), which was fourth overall.
 
South Carolina's Akala Garrett recorded the fastest mark (54.49), followed by Arkansas' Saira Prince (55.13) and Kentucky's Vanice Kerubo Nyagisera (55.41).
 
Saturday's 400-meter hurdles final is slated for 9:27 p.m. (ET).
 
Senior Aniya Woodruff (Harrisburg, N.C.) also competed in the race where she came up just short of advancing (56.30). The Tar Heel native ends her illustrious collegiate career with back-to-back Second Team All-American recognition.    
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.