NEW ORLEANS (July 20, 2026) – The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) revealed its 2026 NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Track & Field All-Academic Athletes where Howard University saw nine Bison acknowledged for their performances inside the classroom. The announcement came Monday afternoon.
The recipients included
Kelis Armstrong (Dallas),
Cenaiya Billups (Denver),
Nilijah Darden (Greensboro, N.C.),
Lindsay Johnson (Detroit),
Yahnari Lyons (Hampton, Ga.),
Mackenzie Robinson (Ypsilanti, Mich.),
Lauren Thompson (Frisco, Texas),
Zoe Turner (Atlanta) and
Aniya Woodruff (Harrisburg, N.C.).
Academic criteria included a minimum cumulative 3.25 grade point average (GPA), including the most recent grading period, and at least two (2) completed semesters or three (3) quarters at the nominating institution.
In athletic criteria, athletes finished the season ranked top 96 in any championship individual event or top 48 in any championship relay event during the indoor season. For the outdoor season, athletes participated in any round of the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Additionally, the USTFCCCA announced its All-Academic Teams where both men's and women's squads earned recognition after cumulating a 3.22 and 3.35 team GPA, respectively.
Criteria for the all-academic team included a cumulative GPA with all student-athletes, producing a 3.0 or higher, including the most recent grading period.
Howard Director of Track & Field
David Oliver enters his 10
th season at the helm and looks to build on last year's success, seeking to bring home more conference titles during the 2026-27 campaign.
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at
www.HUBison.com and/or the USTFCCCA website at
www.ustfccca.org.
