Track and Field

By Eden Godbee
Special to howard-bison.com

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Howard travels to Greensboro, N.C. this weekend for NCAA East Regional Championship. Competition pits HU against schools such as Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and other ACC, Big 10 and Big East schools.

The women's 4x400m relay squad (Lauren McNary, Brittany Stephens, Landria Buckley, Jami Hardy) won gold at the 2009 MEAC Outdoor Championship. The team qualified for the Regionals with their first-place finish in 3:41.13.

"The relay team is gunning for it, they want to be in the mix with the other big schools," said head coach Michael Merritt.

McNary will see action in the 400m dash. The Florida native improved on her qualifying time after finishing in 52.97 at the MEAC Championship. Buckley will compete in two individual events this weekend, the 100m hurdles and the 400m hurdles. Buckley medaled in both events at the conference championship.

"Lauren and Landria had exciting performances this year and I think they would like to move to the next level," said Merritt.

Daniel Kinney and Christopher Harrison will see action from the men's squad. Kinney will be competing in the 400m hurdles (51.57) and the 110m hurdles (13.93) while Harrison takes the course in the 400m dash (46.91).

"Daniel has a very good chance of advancing but this is Chris' first time going to Regionals.  He's going to see what it's all about," Merritt observed.
 
The NCAA East Regional Championship will be held at North Carolina A&T on May 30-31. Only the top five finishers advance to the NCAA Championship field.