NORFOLK, Va. – North Carolina Central's men's and women's track and field teams recorded their highest point totals and medal count of the Division I era at the 2026 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships, held May 14-16 at William "Dick" Price Stadium.

Both teams placed fourth overall, with the women scoring 104 points and the men tying with Howard at 113 points. The Eagles returned to the Nest with 17 medals, including five gold medals.

Aaron Alukunyang led the Eagles' gold-medal surge, winning all three distance events he competed in. Alukunyang totaled 30 points for NCCU's men's team, earning Most Outstanding Men's Track Athlete honors at the conference championships.

The Eagles' remaining two gold medals were captured by veteran members of the women's team, Tia Lucas and Laila Jackson.

Howard claimed its fifth consecutive women's championship with 235 points, followed by Morgan State (119) and Norfolk State (111). Finishing behind NC Central was Delaware State (98), South Carolina State (83), Maryland Eastern Shore (29) and Coppin State (20).

On the men's side, Norfolk State captured its fifth straight championship with 183 points. South Carolina State (126) and Delaware State (115) rounded out the top three. The Eagles were just two points shy of the podium, tied with Howard. Morgan State (73), Coppin State (63), and Maryland Eastern Shore (29) completed the standings.

Day 1

The Eagles opened the championships at a strong pace, winning five medals on Thursday to help the women's team take the lead after the first day of competition with 23 points.

MacKenna Telfaire earned the first medal of the championships for NCCU, capturing bronze with a third-place finish in the women's discus. The freshman recorded a personal-best throw of 40.24m on her first attempt and held on for a podium finish.

The Eagles collected two more medals in the women's high jump. Tia Lucas made the most of her final MEAC Championships, winning the first gold medal for NC Central. The James Island, S.C., native cleared 1.60m, 1.68m and 1.71m on her first attempts. Only Lucas and Valerie Ashamu of Delaware State remained as both jumpers attempted to clear 1.74m. Lucas cleared the bar on her second try, while Ashamu did not, securing the first-place finish for Lucas.

With the victory, Lucas swept both the indoor and outdoor MEAC titles for the first time in her collegiate career. The senior now owns four MEAC gold medals in the women's high jump and has reached the podium seven times in eight appearances at the conference indoor and outdoor championships.

Lucas had familiar company on the podium as teammate Rachel Key-White earned bronze for her first conference medal. The freshman cleared her opening three heights of 1.55m, 1.60m and 1.65m with ease before advancing to 1.68m, which she cleared on her second attempt. Key-White then moved to 1.71m but was unable to clear the height, securing the bronze-medal finish.

NC Central wrapped up the evening in the final two events of the day as Navi McDowell and Aaron Alukunyang competed in the women's and men's 10,000m runs, respectively. It marked the first time this season that either Eagle competed in the event.

McDowell set the tone with a third-place finish in 40:00.29, earning the sophomore her first conference track and field medal.

Alukunyang also captured his first MEAC medal with a standout performance that broke the previous meet record of 30:12.02, set in 2024. The freshman crossed the finish line in 30:06.86 to win the race and claim his first gold medal.

Day 2

On Friday, two Eagles from the men's team earned medals. Sophomore Julian Williams claimed bronze in the men's shot put with an outdoor season-best throw of 15.86m, finishing third overall.

Fellow sophomore Khamani Johnson secured NCCU's first silver medal, placing second in the men's hammer throw with a new personal-best mark of 49.09m. Johnson also competed in the shot put and discus throw.

Day 3

The Eagles had one more day to add points to the board, and Naa'Irah Andrews contributed to the women's total with a third-place finish in the women's javelin throw. Andrews recorded a mark of 32.95m to earn the sophomore a bronze medal.

Laila Jackson had a memorable MEAC Championship finale. The senior struck gold in the women's 1,500m, clocking a winning time of 4:32.73 to top the podium. Jackson also added another medal to her collection, earning silver in the women's 800m with a time of 2:09.10.

Alukunyang captured his second gold medal of the championships, crossing the finish line first in the men's 1,500m with a time of 3:50.47. Later on, Alukunyang would become a three-time gold medalist, earning his final gold in the men's 5,000m (14:41.19). He also holds the conference record in the 5,000m at 13:56.74.

Zion Amadi raced to a silver medal in the men's 400m, posting a personal-best time of 46.72 seconds. With a third-place finish in the men's 200m, the sophomore also earned his second medal of the day (21.06).

In the women's 400m, T'Sheylah Moore claimed a bronze medal with a time of 55.33 seconds. Moore also competed in the women's 4x400m relay alongside Gianna Marquez, Kayla Johnson, and Nyree Bacchus, helping the Eagles to a second-place finish with a time of 3:43.37.

NC Central closed out the championships with a bronze medal in the men's 4x400m relay. The quartet of Isaiah Fitzpatrick, Issac Fitzpatrick, Dwan Bell and Amadi crossed the finish line in 3:10.56.

Gold medalists were named to the All-MEAC First Team, while silver and bronze medalists earned Second Team and Third Team honors, respectively.

NCCU Men's and Women's MEAC Outdoor T&F Championships (Division I) – History