Victoria Wins Men’s High Jump, Multiple Top-Three Finishes at HBCU Showcase

NEW YORK, N.Y. – North Carolina Central University's men's and women's track & field teams competed in the HBCU Showcase on Saturday in New York City. The men finished fourth as a team, while the women tied for eighth. Sophomore Lamont Victoria won his second high jump event of the season in consecutive meets for NC Central, while three more Eagles earned top-three finishes.

Sophomore Lamont Victoria (Prince George, Va.) cleared a 2.12m (6 ft, 11.5 in) jump on his third attempt going two-for-two in high jump victories this season. Victoria garnered MEAC Field Athlete of the Week honors after NCCU's last meet.

In the women's high jump, Tia Lucas (James Island, S.C.) was 0.03m shy of her personal best jumping 1.65m (5 ft, 5 in) to place second but tied for first among Division I competitors.

Junior Laterrion Johnson improved his jumping distance finishing third in the triple jump event with 14.81m. In his first meet in December, Johnson's longest jump was 13.67m. Malcolm Forbes finished just outside of medaling in fourth place with a personal best of 14.48m.

Nelson Anderson competed in the weight throw event and finished third (14.80m). Teammate Matthew Swepson wasn't far behind at 14.60m to take fourth place.

The Eagles will stay in the Triangle area for their next meet at the Dick Taylor Challenge hosted by the University of North Carolina on Jan. 20.

NCCU Top-5 Results:

Women's 400m

Gianna Marquez (5^th) 59.37

Men's 1 Mile

Emmanuel Paddyfote (4^th) 4:27.36

Women's 3000m

Rachel Ozio (4^th) 10:48.38

Women's High Jump

Tia Lucas (2^nd) 1.65m

Men's High Jump

Lamont Victoria (1^st) 2.12m