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HBCU Legends

HBCU Track Stars Advance to NCAA DI Championship Finals

HBCU track and field stars from NC A&T, Southern, and Howard advanced to NCAA Outdoor Championships finals, highlighting the strength of Black college athletics on the national stage.
Kyle Mosley|
HBCU track and field stars from NC A&T, Southern, and Howard advanced to NCAA Outdoor Championships finals.
HBCU track and field stars from NC A&T, Southern, and Howard advanced to NCAA Outdoor Championships finals. | NC A&T, SU Athletics

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North Carolina A&T AggiesNorth Carolina A&T AggiesHoward BisonHoward BisonSouthern University JaguarsSouthern University Jaguars

EUGENE, Ore. — HBCU track and field athletes continue to shine on the national stage as several competitors advanced to championship finals at the 2026 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Hayward Field.

From record-breaking performances to inspiring comebacks, HBCU student-athletes will be well represented in Friday's and Saturday's championship rounds.

HBCU track and field stars from NC A&T, Southern, and Howard advanced to NCAA Outdoor Championships finals.
HBCU track and field stars from NC A&T, Southern, and Howard advanced to NCAA Outdoor Championships finals. | NC A&T, SU Athletics

Friday's Finals

North Carolina A&T hurdler Jason Holmes delivered one of the top performances of the week, setting both a Colonial Athletic Association and school record in the men's 110-meter hurdles. Holmes crossed the finish line in 13.17 seconds to secure a place in Friday's national championship final.

Twin-powers were activated when Isaiah Taylor advanced to Friday's national championship finals with time of 49.00 seconds in the men's 400-meter hurdles. His brother Xzaviah Taylor joined him in the event with a time of 49.28 seconds.

The Aggies continued their strong showing in Eugene by advancing both men’s relay teams.

North Carolina A&T's men's 4x400-meter relay team posted a season-best 3:02.19 to earn a spot in Friday's championship race. The Aggies also qualified their men's 4x100-meter relay squad after clocking a CAA-record 38.53 seconds.

Saturday's Finals

Southern University hurdler and SWAC-record holder, Tashina Beyioku Alase, earned a place in the women's 100-meter hurdles final after winning her semifinal heat in 12.90 seconds.

Alase's performance carries added significance because she returned to competition after last season’s head-on collision. The accident injured her toe and sidelined her from outdoor competition.

The Jaguars standout showed resilience and determination on Thursday, trailing slightly after the last hurdle before winning the heat and placing herself in one of track and field's biggest events.

Entering Saturday’s final, Alase ranks among the contenders. Oregon’s Aaliyah McCormick leads the field with a season-best 12.56 seconds, while Alase is tied for fifth with Texas A&M’s Jalya Covington.

The women's 100-meter hurdles final is scheduled for 5:42 p.m. ET on Saturday.

Howard University will also have representation in the championship rounds, with two student-athletes advancing.

Sophomore hurdler Cenaiya Billups advanced to the women's 400-meter hurdles final after posting a qualifying time of 55.44 seconds. Billups will compete for a national title Saturday at 9:27 p.m. ET.

Fellow Bison hurdler Aniya Woodruff narrowly missed advancing after finishing her semifinal race in 56.30 seconds.

Howard junior sprinter Yahnari Lyons secured her place in the women's 200-meter final by winning her semifinal heat in 22.36 seconds. Lyons automatically qualified for Saturday night's championship race, scheduled for 9:37 p.m. ET.

The Bison's women's 4x100-meter relay team — Lyons, graduate student Marcia Sey, junior Mackenzie Robinson, and freshman Nilijah Darden — narrowly missed advancing to the final. Howard finished in 43.66 seconds, falling just short of a qualifying position.

HBCU Excellence on Display

With national titles on the line, HBCU athletes have again shown they can compete with the nation’s elite programs. As the weekend unfolds in Eugene, Holmes, Alase, Billups, Lyons, the Taylors and North Carolina A&T’s relay squads will carry the banner for HBCU athletics on track and field’s biggest stage.

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Published
Kyle T. Mosley
KYLE MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends. Former founder and publisher of the Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on SI since October 2019.  Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four.  My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances:  WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert),  KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews:  Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Collegiate Head Coach), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Mark Ingram (NFL RB), Terron Armstead (NFL OL), Jameis Winston (NFL QB), Cam Newton (NFL QB), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Chennis Berry (Collegiate Head Coach), Johnny Jones (Collegiate Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Women's Basketball Coach), Tremaine Jackson (Collegiate Head Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (Former VP of Basketball - New Orleans Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns.  For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me:

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