NORFOLK, Va., April 13, 2022—Howard graduate student Dylan Beard was named Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Men’s Track Athlete of the Week, presented by Coca-Cola, and Howard senior Jessica Wright was selected as Women’s Track Athlete of the Week, the conference office announced today. Howard senior Mekhi Abbott was named Men’s Field Athlete of the Week, while Howard senior Diana Effiom earned Women’s Field Athlete of the Week honors.
Beard (Gr., Severn, Md.) turned in the 43rd-fastest time in the nation in the 110-meter hurdles this past weekend at the Aggie Invitational hosted by North Carolina A&T State, running a 13.93 in the preliminary heats. The only MEAC runner to break 14 seconds in the event this season, Beard followed that up in the final with a 14.23 to finish third.
Wright (Sr., Durham, N.C.) won the 400 meters at the Aggie Invitational, setting the MEAC’s best time and the 12th-fastest mark in the nation in the event with a 52.63.
Abbott (Sr., Monroe, N.J.) won the javelin throw at the Aggie Invitational, tossing the implement a MEAC-best 43.82 meters (194 feet, 4 inches). He leads the MEAC in the javelin throw by more than 11 meters.
Effiom (Sr., Dallas, Texas) set a new school record in the hammer throw at the Aggie Invitational, setting a MEAC-best mark of 54.78 meters (179 feet, 9 inches) to win the gold medal. She leads the MEAC in the event by nearly five meters.
Other Top Performers
Latifa Ali (Coppin State) won the 100 meters (11.67) and came in second in the 200 meters (24.17) at the Aggie Invitational.
Joseph Manu (Coppin State) ran a 10.40 to finish third in the 100 meters at the Aggie Invitational.
Anthony Franklin (Norfolk State) was second in the 100 meters at the Duke Invitational with a 10.40, while also helping the Spartans 4x100-meter relay team finish second in 39.95.
Isaac Haywood (Norfolk State) leaped 15.33 meters to finish second in the triple jump at the Duke Invitational.
Malika Pride (Norfolk State) ran a 54.23 in the 200 meters to finish sixth at the Duke Invitational.
Leslie Young (Norfolk State) tossed the javelin a personal-best 35.76 meters at the Duke Invitational.
Micah Fulton (North Carolina Central) leaped a personal-best 11.85 meters in the triple jump at the Duke Invitational.
Ariana Harrell (North Carolina Central) ran a PR of 2:15.91 in the 800 meters at the Aggie Invitational.
Marvin Jones (North Carolina Central) cleared 2.06 meters in the high jump to finish third at the Duke Invitational.
Gordon Lewis (North Carolina Central) ran a 21.97 in the 200 meters at the Duke Invitational.