Washington, D.C. — The Bison have spoken and sprinted to history. Howard University’s Women’s Track & Field team delivered a defining performance at the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships over the weekend, held at the legendary Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. With standout efforts from graduate student Marcia Sey and the 4x100-meter relay team, the Bison not only represented but redefined what is possible for HBCU programs on the national stage. 

Leading the charge was Sey, who made Howard history by qualifying for the finals in the 100-meter hurdles and finishing third with All-American honors, the second of her career and a first such accomplishment for the program. 

“Marcia has been a consistent leader and competitor, and her performance this week just confirms what we already know — she belongs on the national stage,” said David Oliver (B.B.A. ‘04), head coach of Howard University’s track and field team. “What she did in the hurdles is historic, and she’s setting the tone for what’s coming next from our program.” 

Adding to the momentum, the 4x100-meter relay team, composed of Sey, graduate student Kailei Collins, Tiffani-Rae Pittman, and Aiyana Gray-Williams, delivered a season-best time and earned second-team All-American honors — marking the first time in Howard history that the women’s sprint relay has reached this level of success at the NCAA Championships. The team’s finish – 30th out of 124 teams – is the highest NCAA Championship finish in Howard University history, putting them on par with nationally-ranked programs such as UCLA, Auburn, Duke, Kentucky and Tennessee. 

“The energy, the execution, the excellence — they left it all on the track,” said Oliver. “These women are elevating the standard, and as a coach and alum I could not be prouder of what they have accomplished and how well they represent Howard University.” 

The results cap a groundbreaking season for Howard Women’s Track & Field. The team dominated throughout the regular season and earned its fourth consecutive Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) title last month. Oliver, a bronze medalist in the 2008 Beijing Games (100-meter hurdles), also earned his fourth consecutive MEAC Outstanding Coach of the Year honor. 

Kery Davis, Howard’s vice president of Athletics, emphasized the broader impact of the team’s showing: 

“What we’re witnessing is a transformation. Howard is on track to become a national powerhouse, and the women’s team is leading that charge,” said Davis. “From coaching leadership to the caliber of student-athletes we’re recruiting and developing, this program is on a championship trajectory — and our performance in Eugene is just the beginning of what I believe will be an impactful and impressive future.” 

The team's NCAA appearance marked one of the largest contingents in school history, with 12 Bison athletes qualifying overall — seven of them women. It is part of a growing trend of national recognition for Howard’s athletics programs, fueled by strategic investment, standout talent, and a culture of excellence. 

With a strong returning class, a historic season behind them, and new recruits already committed for the 2026 season, the future of Howard Women’s Track & Field looks fast, fierce, and full of promise.