By Monica Lewis
Following a dominant performance at the 2025 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Outdoor Track and Field Championship over the weekend, the Howard University women’s team are once again champions — for the fourth time in as many years.
The win, which occurred during the tournament in Norfolk, Virginia, was a part of a record-breaking showing as the women’s team scored a meet-high 292 points, 103 points ahead of runner-up Norfolk State University. Such accomplishments are proof that Head Coach David Oliver (B.B.A. ‘04) was deserving of the 2025 Outstanding Coach of the MEAC Outdoor Track and Field Tournament — the fourth such consecutive selection for Oliver, who won a bronze medal in the 2008 Beijing Games in the 100-meter hurdles.
Capping off a successful 2025 season with another conference title is confirmation of how special a team Oliver has assembled, said Athletics Director Kery Davis.
“I know I am not alone in saying how proud I am of our program and how grateful I am that David chose to come back to his alma mater and use his leadership and experience to guide a new generation of athletes,” Davis said. “I must thank him for bringing a winning culture to our program and I congratulate the women’s team for putting in the work that has made them the class of the MEAC.”
The team dominated the conference tournament, winning 14 gold medals and in three events — the women’s triple jump, 100–meter dash, and 400–meter hurdles — sweeping the podium. The women closed out the meet in dominant fashion, winning the 4×400-meter relay with a time of 3:36.20, a full six seconds ahead of the second-place team. Junior Kiya Lawson led the way with three gold medals, winning the 200-meter dash, 400-meter dash and the 4×400 relay team.
Howard also boasted a conference-high14 selections to the All-MEAC First Team: Arianna Smith (400-meter hurdles), Camille Egbula (800 meter and 1,500 meter), Erin Hatcher (women’s hammer), 4×100 team, 4×400 team, Jasmyn Hunter (heptathlon), Joslyn Crosby (5,000 meter), Kailei Collins (100 meter), Kelis Armstrong (triple jump), Kendra Ezeama (shot put), Kiya Lawson (200 meter and 400 meter), and Marcia Sey (100-meter hurdles).
“What makes this group special isn’t just their talent — it’s how they carry the name ‘Howard University’ with purpose.” – Head Coach David Oliver
Coach Oliver credits the team’s success to discipline and a determination to not only perform well but also to represent Howard University well and continue a tradition of excellence.
“What makes this group special isn’t just their talent — it’s how they carry the name ‘Howard University’ with purpose,” Oliver said. “Whether they’re on the track or field competing, in the classroom, or in the community, they embody everything this institution stands for. As a coach and as an alum, I am immensely proud of what this program has accomplished.”
The weekend also saw the men’s team earn a second-place finish in the tournament behind Norfolk State. Graduate student Noah Langford led the Bison with a pair of first place finishes in the 100-meter and 400-meter hurdles. On May 28-31, members of both teams will be in Jacksonville, Florida for the NCAA East Preliminary Rounds, the first leg to the NCAA Championships which will take place in Eugene, Oregon June 11-14.
Having participated in postseason competition himself, Oliver knows the impact experiences like this can have on student-athletes — and how these appearances speak volumes for the caliber of student-athletes Howard University produces.
“We’re heading into the NCAA preliminaries focused and prepared. Our young men and women are not just showing up to compete, they’re showing up to contend,” Oliver said. “I believe in them, and more importantly, they believe in themselves.”
