The Delaware State University men’s and women’s track and field teams secured consecutive first-place finishes at the University of Delaware Invitational, which concluded on April 10.
The results highlight strong performances across both squads, with several athletes setting new meet records and achieving top regional rankings. The achievements are significant for the Hornets as they continue their season with notable momentum.
In the men’s events, Ja’Mari Manson took first place in the high jump with a leap of 2.11 meters, ranking him nineteenth in the NCAA East Region and establishing a new meet record. Christopher Johnson won the shot put with a mark of 15.83 meters, while Derrick Sirmons and Babadara Olowe finished second and fourth respectively. Johnson also contributed to top-10 performances in the hammer throw alongside Devon James, who both excelled in discus as well—Sirmons placed first at 44.9 meters, followed by Johnson’s second-place finish at 44.26 meters.
On the track, Marian Drazan set a school history mark and meet record by winning the men’s 1500-meter race in 3:50.30. Jonathan Drew captured first place in the men’s 5000-meter race with a time of 16:05.12, while Mugo Waweru finished fourth. The Hornets swept all three podium spots in the men’s 4×400 meter relay led by Keith Jenerette’s team setting another meet record at 3:15.18.
For women’s events, Miriam Okwudibonye anchored two relay teams that each broke meet records—the Hornets’ squad won both the women’s 4×100 meter (46.71 seconds) and 4×400 meter (3:54.36) relays handily. Mileah Cotton earned gold in the women’s 1500 meters (4:53.86), ranking third all-time for DSU history; Merasia Johnson took second place followed by Leilani Gibson’s third-place finish.
Several individual women set or matched meet records including Joy Taiwo (first place in women’s hurdles), Mariah Winfield (first place long jump), Valerie Ashamu (high jump winner), among others contributing to multiple top-three sweeps throughout various disciplines during competition.
