LEXINGTON, Ky. – Recent North Carolina Central graduate Tia Lucas closed out her collegiate career on the national stage at the NCAA Track and Field East First Round on Saturday afternoon at the UK Outdoor Track.

Lucas was the lone Eagle competing in Kentucky, making her second consecutive appearance at the NCAA East First Round. The James Island, South Carolina native tied for 21st place in the women's high jump in a field of 48 competitors after clearing 1.76m, matching her season-best mark. Lucas missed advancing to the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, unable to clear 1.79m. The top 12 finishers in the event earned spots at the national championship in Eugene, Oregon, scheduled for June 10-13.

During her four-year career at NC Central, Lucas established herself as one of the program's most accomplished jumpers. A four-time Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference high jump champion, Lucas capped her collegiate career by sweeping the conference's indoor and outdoor titles as a senior. Lucas was also recognized as NCCU's 2026 Female Student-Athlete of the Year at the department's annual athletics awards ceremony, the Eddies.

For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com.