WASHINGTON, D.C., June 22, 2022 – With the 2022 NCAA outdoor season recently coming to an end, the summer heats up in Eugene where Howard University All-American Jessica Wright and rising sophomore Tiffani-Rae Pittman are set to take on the nation's top athletes at the 2022 USA Track & Field (USATF) Outdoor Championships.
The four-day event takes place at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.
FOLLOW THE ACTION
Bison Nation can follow Wright and Pittman via live results and/or USATF.org.
"Making it to this event is a major accomplishment," Howard Director of Track & Field David Oliver said. "At this level, you're not only one of the best on the collegiate scene, but one of the best in the country overall."
Wright competes on Day One (June 23) in the women's 400-meter hurdles first round at 7:50 p.m. (ET)/4:50 p.m. (PT).
"I hope Jessica soaks this all in," Oliver continued. "For her to earn the opportunity to line up with Olympic and World Champions is a great feat and a springboard for what's to come on the next level for her."
At the U20 level, Pittman is scheduled to race in the 100-meter dash Friday (June 24) and 200-meter dash Saturday (June 25). Start times for the first round are set for 4:52 p.m. (ET)/1:52 p.m. (PT) and 6:24 p.m. (ET)/3:24 p.m. (PT), respectively.
"This is a great way to wrap up a spectacular freshman year for Pittman," Oliver stated. "Getting to compete in the same venue with track and field legends so early in her career is a great accomplishment. This should be a great springboard for her career going forward."
MEET PREVIEW
Wright enters the 400-meter hurdles event with a qualifying time of 56.32 where she recorded at the 2022 Florida Relays (March 31-April 2) in Gainesville, Fla. For her efforts, she finished fifth overall in the race.
"This is truly an amazing experience," Wright said. "To compete with the best of the best in the world is such an honor. I'm making a mark not only for myself but for Howard University for the future. I feel blessed and ready to compete this week."
Wright returns to Eugene where she became a two-time All-American earlier this month. At the 2022 NCAA Outdoor Championships (June 8-11), she finished ninth overall in the 400-meter hurdles while taking sixth place as a member of the 4x400 relay team.
For Pittman, she qualified for the USATF U20 100-meter dash after finishing second at the 2022 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Outdoor Championships (May 12-14), clocking in at 11.61. The DMV native also made the U20 200-meter dash with a 23.58 mark at the Norfolk State Invitational (April 15-16).
"It's a blessing to compete and make the USA junior team," said Pittman. "It is even more special as I am representing my HBCU, Howard University, on this elite level after kicking off Juneteenth."
Pittman was part of the 4x100 relay squad that reached the 2022 NCAA East Preliminary Round in Bloomington, Ind.
MEET INFORMATION
The 2022 Toyota USATF Outdoor Championships serves as the selection event for Open athletes for the 2022 World Athletics Championships.
The 2022 USATF U20 Outdoor Championships serves as the selection event for U20 athletes for the 2022 World Athletics U20 Championships.
Wright and Pittman battle the top athletes from the Power 5 conferences, along with Olympic medalists Sydney McLaughlin, Dalilah Muhammad and Ashley Spencer.