Howard University's men's track and field program finished fifth overall at the 2026 MEAC Indoor Championships held in Virginia Beach, Virginia. North Carolina Central University's women's team earned third place with 97 points, their highest total in the Division I era, while the men's squad placed eighth with 32 points. The event, spanning February 22-23, featured strong performances amid a weather-related delay on the final day.
The 2026 MEAC Indoor Track and Field Championships took place at the Virginia Beach Sports Center, with all eight conference institutions competing for the indoor titles. Howard's women dominated with 215 points to claim their fifth consecutive championship, matching Norfolk State's men's team, which scored 124.5 points for their fifth straight win. On the women's side, Norfolk State finished second with 125 points, followed by North Carolina Central at third with 97 points. For the men, Delaware State placed second with 106 points, and South Carolina State third with 101 points.
North Carolina Central's women highlighted the meet with several standout performances. On the final day, which was delayed due to inclement weather, Laila Jackson, Gianna Marquez, Kayla Johnson, and Victoria Swepson won gold in the women's 3,800m distance medley relay with a time of 11:27.91, setting new meet and conference records and breaking Hampton's 2010 mark of 11:50.18. Melanne Sutton claimed gold in the women's 60m dash at 7.38 seconds, her first conference title after placing second last year. "I just focused on my own race; I went out there and gave it all I had," Sutton said.
T'Sheylah Moore earned bronze in the women's 400m dash with 55.86 seconds, Kaydence Daniels took silver in the 200m dash with a personal record of 23.83 seconds, and Laila Jackson secured silver in the 800m run at 2:09.01, with Kayla Johnson earning bronze at 2:13.73. Tia Lucas won gold in the women's high jump, clinching the title on her second attempt at 1.75m after clearing 1.72m. "It means so much. I wouldn't be able to do any of this without God, so I give all glory to Him," Lucas said. "I'm just so happy I can end my final indoor season with a win."
Howard's men's team, featuring athletes such as Jorim Bangue, Abraham Evans, Dylan Gaines, Elijah Grant, Benjamin Hilliard, Emerson McKindra, Justin Watterson, Sean Wray, Solomon Young, and Drew Dillard, contributed to the fifth-place finish. The championships' Monday start was delayed two hours due to weather, but events proceeded as scheduled.
