Sophomore runner sets new school mark in the 3K run
NEW YORK (January 10, 2020) – Second-year runner Gavin Williams (Dover, Del.) led the Howard University men’s track and field squad to a victory at the 2020 HBCU Battle in New York City, thanks to a pair of individual victories, including a record-setting performance.
In the men’s 3000-meter run, Williams etched himself in the school’s record book after winning the event with a new time of 8:52.25. For his efforts, the Delaware native qualified for the 2020 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Indoor Championships in Landover, Md.
“Gavin [Williams] has carried over his successful cross country campaign [into the indoor season],” said Howard Director of Track & Field David Oliver after today’s meet. “[He] opened his indoor season in the 3000-meter [run] with a record-shattering performance. He will own several school records before his career is over [in 2022]. Coach Andrew Murphy really has his group humming.”
He shattered the previous mark held by Giovani Mowatt, which was set in 2012 (8:54.90).
Williams grabbed his second victory of the day in the men’s one-mile run, clocking in at 4:30.26.
Other noteworthy performance on the track included freshman sprinter Goba Dan-Princewill placing second in the 200-meter dash, recording a MEAC qualifying time of 22.26.
On the field, newcomer Nnamdi Olebara (Bowie, Md.) led the way with a first-place finish in the men’s shot put. The Maryland product threw over 50 feet (15.44 meters) while advancing to Landover.
“Eight personal bests on the men’s side [and nine on the women], along with eight new MEAC qualifiers is a good haul this early in the season,” Director Oliver stated. “The student-athletes did an amazing job, and [I] couldn’t be happier.”
Howard men scored 121 points on the day, a dramatic improvement from a year ago where the club only tallied 31. Last season, HU men finished ninth in the event.
“This was the first big meet win that we’ve had as a staff,” Director Oliver continued. “The kids really represented themselves and the University very well. We have come up short in the previous editions of this meet, but to finally bring home both trophies is a big boost for the group.”
To view results from the 2020 HBCU Battle, please click here.
Next weekend (Jan. 17-18), the Bison are splitting among two meets.
A group travels to Blacksburg, Va., for a two-day meet at the Virginia Tech Invitational whereas the other group stays in the DMV area for a Saturday (Jan. 18) event in College Park, the Terrapin Invitational.
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.
(This story and photos courtesy of Howard University Athletics)