Outstanding Performances at Division II NCAA Championships: HBCU Athletes Shine

On the first day of the Division II NCAA championships, individual athletes and HBCU schools shined brightly, showcasing their talent and determination on the track.

At Lincoln University of Missouri (Mo.), two women’s athletes stood out in the 400-meter hurdle preliminaries. Odeshia Nanton led the pack with a time of 58.93, securing a spot in the finals along with her teammate Maria Diamond, who finished with a time of 59.47. Despite finishing third in their heat, Shevanae Thomas narrowly missed out on qualifying for the finals by just 0.13 seconds.

Meanwhile, in the men’s 400-meter hurdles, St. Augustine’s Sean Kalawan dominated the field with a time of 51.05, leading the way for HBCU athletes. Sharim Hamilton of Lincoln (Mo.) and Jaevon Riley of Claflin also secured spots in the finals with impressive performances.

Albany State had a stellar opening day, qualifying for the finals in two events. Their men’s 4×100 relay team blazed through the track with a time of 40.03, earning a spot in the final. Additionally, Kibren Moore and Ed Gilbert from Albany State qualified for the individual 100-meter final, with Moore finishing first in his heat with a time of 9.99.

The stage is set for an exciting weekend of competition, with finals scheduled for Saturday in the 400-meter hurdles, 4×400 relay, 4×100 relay, and the 100-meter and 200-meter individual events. HBCU athletes have shown their prowess and determination, setting the stage for thrilling races ahead.