VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – For the second consecutive year, North Carolina Central's women's track & field team finished third at the 2026 MEAC Indoor Track & Field Championships. All eight conference institutions competed at the Virginia Beach Sports Center on Feb. 22-23 for a shot at the indoor crown.

NCCU's men's squad placed eighth with 32 points, while the women earned a podium finish with 97 points - their highest total in the Division I era.

Howard's women (215 points) and Norfolk State's men (124.5 points) each claimed their fifth straight indoor conference championship. Delaware State (106) and South Carolina State (101) rounded out the top three on the men's side, while Norfolk State's women finished second with 125 points.

On Sunday, Laila Jackson, Gianna Marquez, Kayla Johnson and Victoria Swepson teamed up to win gold in the women's 3,800m distance medley relay. Their time of 11:27.91 set new meet and conference records, breaking Hampton's previous mark of 11:50.18 set in 2010. The Eagles had finished third in the event at last year's indoor championships.

The final day of competition was delayed due to weather, but once events resumed, NCCU's women continued to add to their medal count.

Melanne Sutton earned the team's first medal Monday with a golden performance in the women's 60m dash. Her time of 7.38 seconds secured her first conference title after finishing second in the event last season.

"I just focused on my own race; I went out there and gave it all I had," Sutton said.

Junior T'Sheylah Moore captured bronze in the women's 400m dash with a time of 55.86 seconds, earning her first conference medal.

Freshman Kaydence Daniels also claimed her first collegiate medal, taking silver in the women's 200m dash. Daniels posted a new personal record of 23.83 seconds, improving from the 24.63 she ran at the same venue the previous weekend.

Jackson entered the championships having medaled in the women's 800m run since her freshman season. The senior closed out her final indoor campaign with another silver, finishing in 2:09.01. Johnson followed closely behind in 2:13.73 to earn bronze and her second medal of the meet.

Tia Lucas capped the meet with a victory in the women's high jump. The senior secured her first indoor conference title in the event after earning two previous silver medals. Lucas and Delaware State's Valerie Ashamu were the final two competitors after clearing 1.72m. On her second attempt at 1.75m, Lucas clinched the win.

"It means so much. I wouldn't be able to do any of this without God, so I give all glory to Him," Lucas said. "I'm just so happy I can end my final indoor season with a win."

2026 Team Results

NCCU Women (3^rd) 97 points

NCCU Men (8^th) 32 points

Women – Indoor Track & Field Championships

Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC/NCAA Division I)

2025 – 3^rd (60 points)

2024 – 7^th (27)

2023 – 6^th (56)

2022 – 5^th (53)

2020 – 6^th (47)

2019 – 6^th (41)

2018 – 11^th (9)

2017 – 11^th (13)

2016 – 10^th (19)

2015 – 8^th (33.5)

2014 – 8^th (28)

2013 – 10^th (14)

2012 – 10^th (27)

Men – Indoor Track & Field Championships

Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC/NCAA Division I)

2025 – 6^th (50 points)

2024 – 5^th (67)

2023 – 5^th (62.5)

2022 – 8^th (39)

2020 – 8^th (23)

2019 – 8^th (22)

2018 – 10^th (21.5)

2017 – 11^th (19)

2016 – 10^th (16)

2015 – 11^th (5)

2014 – (0)

2013 – 11^th (24)

2012 – 10^th (23)

2021 – No Indoor Championships due to COVID

2008-2011 (reclassifying to NCAA Division I)

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