Howard University's women's track and field team won its fifth consecutive Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference indoor championship, amassing 215 points at the Virginia Beach Sports Center. The Bison finished 90 points ahead of second-place Norfolk State University, with North Carolina Central taking third at 97 points. Freshman Alexis Jones earned outstanding runner honors with two gold medals.
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships concluded on Monday at the Virginia Beach Sports Center, where Howard University's women's team extended its dominance by capturing the title for the fifth year in a row. The Bison scored 215 points, surpassing Norfolk State University in second place by 90 points and North Carolina Central in third with 97 points.
Freshman biology major Alexis Jones from New Windsor, New York, led Howard's effort, named the MEAC Women's Indoor Track & Field Outstanding Runner of the Meet after scoring 28 individual points. She won gold in the 3,000 meters on Sunday with a time of 10:07.34 and followed with another first-place finish in the mile on Monday at 5:15.34.
In field events, senior psychology major Temi Banwo from Allen, Texas, contributed 20 points and was honored as the Outstanding Field Athlete of the Meet. Head coach David Oliver, a former Bison hurdler from 2000-2004 and 2008 Olympic bronze medalist, received the Outstanding Coach award. "I’m extremely proud of this team. They’ve done a fantastic job over the years," Oliver said. "I’m pleased that we were able to keep the momentum that we’ve had going and that we were able to represent Howard University extremely well."
Howard's men's team placed fifth overall, with fifth-year biology major Sean Wray and the 4x400-meter relay team—comprising sophomores Elijah Grant and Jayvian Green, junior Emerson McKindra, and senior Dylan Gaines—earning First Team All-MEAC honors.
Morgan State University's women's team finished sixth, securing four medals, including bronze in the pole vault for freshman Raven Johnson at 3.00 meters and a personal-best triple jump of 11.08 meters. Their 4x400-meter relay took bronze in 3:50.60. The Morgan men also placed sixth, with sophomore Caleb Mincey earning bronze in the mile at a personal-best 4:12.20 and the 4x400 relay finishing fourth in 3:15.61.
As the indoor season ends, Howard shifts to outdoors starting March 20, aiming for another title. "Establishing a winning culture is really something that comes from the student athletes," Oliver noted.
