The Medgar Evers College outdoor track and field teams continued making strides during this 2025 campaign, this past Saturday competing at the Gallaudet University Invitational (Bison Classic) and the Gallaudet vs. Medgar meet, both of which unfolded from the Thomas O. Berg Track in Washington, DC. There, the Cougars continued to showcase their talents and raising the bar. Following the meet, Head Coach Hugh Reid spoke.

Quote from Coach Reid

"The Medgar Evers College Track & Field team delivered an outstanding performance in the Nation's Capital at the 2025 Bison Classic, hosted by HBCU powerhouse Howard University and the world's leading institution for the deaf and hard of hearing, Gallaudet University. As a Proudly Black Institution (PBI), it was an incredible honor to be included in a meet that brings together institutions rooted in equity, access, and social justice. This event is always a highlight on our calendar, and our student-athletes embraced the moment with passion and purpose. Competing against such storied programs inspired our team to rise to the occasion — our women finished second, our men placed third, and we won the Division III dual meet with Gallaudet. Along the way, we earned multiple CUNYAC-qualifying marks, set numerous personal records, and celebrated historic milestones — including a meet record in the women's 200m by Toshel Goffe, and two school records: Jahiem Johnson in the 400m, breaking a 14-year-old mark, and Omari Hinds in the long jump, surpassing a record that stood for 15 years. These weren't just competitions — they were celebrations of excellence, culture, and the shared mission of institutions like Howard, Gallaudet, and Medgar Evers. We left D.C. not just with memories, but with pride, purpose, and momentum that will fuel us for the rest of the season."

Top Performances from the Cougars

Jahiem Johnson had a phenomenal weekend at the Bison Classic, setting a new MEC school and program record in the 400m with a time of 50.41, earning a CUNYAC qualifying mark. He also qualified in the 100m (11.22, 5th) and 200m (23.01, 5th), while placing 9th in the discus (30.10m) and 5th in the javelin (36.08m). At the Gallaudet Dual Meet, Johnson showcased his versatility, winning the 400m, placing 2nd in the 100m and 200m, 3rd in the discus and javelin, 5th in shot put, and 6th in the long jump. He also helped lead the 4x100m relay to 1st place with a time of 44.06—the 3rd-fastest in MEC history—and contributed to the 2nd-place 4x400m relay team (3:42.28), which placed 1st at the dual meet.

Omari Hinds delivered an outstanding all-around performance at the Bison Classic, qualifying for CUNYAC in four events: high jump (1st, 1.80m), long jump (2nd, 6.73m – MEC school and program record), triple jump (4th, 12.40m PR), and 200m (8th, 23.27). He also set a PR in the 100m (11.59, 7th). At the dual meet, he continued to shine—winning the high jump and triple jump, finishing 2nd in long jump, 3rd in the 100m, and 4th in the 200m. He was also a key part of the 1st-place 4x100m relay (44.06, 3rd-fastest in MEC history). Hinds' consistency across events solidifies his status as a top-tier athlete.

Reco Griffith made an immediate impact, capturing 1st place in the 100m (10.77) at the Bison Classic—earning both CUNYAC and AARTFC regional qualifying marks. He also finished 2nd in the 200m (22.01), another CUNYAC qualifier. At the dual meet, Griffith continued his dominance, taking 1st in both the 100m and 200m. He was also a crucial part of the 4x100m relay squad that ran 44.06 (3rd-fastest in MEC history) and the 4x400m team that placed 2nd overall (1st at the dual meet). 

Toshel Goffe starred at the Bison Classic, placing 7th in the 400m with a personal best of 59.55, and taking 1st in the 200m (25.78). She continued her winning ways at the dual meet, again placing 1st in both the 200m and 400m. Goffe earned CUNYAC qualifying marks in both events, establishing herself as a sprint powerhouse.

Nia Butler dominated the throws at the Bison Classic, setting a new MEC school record and personal best in the hammer throw with 31.49m (6th). She also placed 6th in the shot put (8.43m), 8th in the discus (20.42m), and 9th in the javelin (13.41m). At the dual meet, Butler took 1st in hammer, 2nd in javelin and shot put, and 3rd in the discus. Her consistent scoring across multiple events demonstrates her tremendous value to the team.

Thenica Thompson made waves at the Bison Classic, placing 8th in the 100m prelims with a PR of 13.25, 8th in the finals (13.32), 2nd in the 200m (27.10), and 5th in the long jump (4.38m). At the dual meet, she placed 1st in the long jump, won both the 100m prelims and finals, and took 2nd in the 200m. She also anchored the 1st-place 4x100m relay team at the Bison Classic, which clocked a conference-leading time of 53.01. Thompson's early-season performance proves she's one to watch.

Additional Men's Results/Feats

Zion Young-baez qualified for CUNYAC in the 200m with a time of 23.22 at the Bison Classic, and placed 3rd in the event at the dual meet.

Daniel Forbes finished 3rd in the 400m hurdles at the Bison Classic (1:06.62) and placed 1st in the same event at the dual meet.
 
Rupert Luard-Charles clocked a CUNYAC qualifying time of 52.30 in the 400m at the Bison Classic (9th place), and also competed in the 200m (23.72) and long jump (5.67m). At the dual meet, he placed 2nd in the 400m, 6th in the 200m, and 4th in the long jump.
 
Joshua Felix placed 7th in the 800m (2:17.68) and threw a PR of 39.23m in the javelin (4th place, CUNYAC qualifier) at the Bison Classic. At the dual meet, he placed 2nd in both the 800m and javelin, 5th in the 400m with a PR of 54.51, and 7th in the 200m (24.02).
 
Zachary Bussey recorded a personal best of 23.01m in the javelin (7th place) and competed in the shot put at the dual meet.
 
Adeolu Adeyemi ran personal bests in the 800m (2:12.92, 5th) and 1500m (5:00.79, 9th) at the Bison Classic, and placed 8th in the triple jump (11.07m). At the dual meet, he placed 1st in the 800m, 2nd in the 1500m, 4th in the 400m with a PR of 53.57, 4th in triple jump, and also competed in the 200m and javelin.
 
Jose Janvier placed 2nd in the pole vault (2.15m, PR), 3rd in the 3000m steeplechase (12:16.64, PR, 3rd in MEC school history), and 5th in the 400m hurdles (1:16.47) at the Bison Classic. At the dual meet, he secured 1st in pole vault, 2nd in steeplechase and 400m hurdles, and 5th in the 1500m (PR of 5:47.88).
 
Michael Ortega placed 9th in the shot put (10.56m) at the Bison Classic. At the dual meet, he placed 3rd in the shot put, 2nd in the hammer throw, and 4th in the discus with a PR of 27.09m.
 
Kayshaun Higgs recorded solid marks across multiple throwing events at the dual meet, placing 3rd in hammer throw, 5th in discus, 7th in shot put, and 8th in javelin (22.78m).
 
The 4x100m Relay team (Zion Young, Reco Griffith, Omari Hinds, Jahiem Johnson) claimed first place at the Bison Classic with a time of 44.06, the 3rd-fastest in MEC history. The team also placed 1st at the dual meet.
 
The 4x400m Relay team (Adeolu Adeyemi, Reco Griffith, Rupert Luard-Charles, Jahiem Johnson) finished 2nd at the Bison Classic with a time of 3:42.28, and placed 1st at the dual meet.
 
Additional Women's Results/Feats

Shaniya Chung impressed in the 400m hurdles at the Bison Classic, winning the event with a personal best of 1:15.17. She also set PRs in the 100m hurdles (21.16) and 100m (13.72). At the dual meet, she again won the 400m hurdles and competed in both sprint hurdles and 100m dash.
 
Jennifer Metra placed 10th in the javelin at the Bison Classic with a PR of 13.20m. At the dual meet, she placed 3rd in javelin, 4th in shot put, and 4th in the 200m.
 
Keyeona Evans placed 5th in both the javelin and 200m at the Gallaudet vs. Medgar Evers Dual Meet.
 
Kinnik Timothy threw a personal best of 14.00m in the discus at the Bison Classic (10th place). At the dual meet, she placed 4th in discus, 6th in javelin and shot put, and 6th in the 200m with a PR of 35.86.
 
Rinnah Brown ran a personal best of 1:04.63 in the 400m (8th place) at the Bison Classic. She then placed 2nd in the 400m and 5th in the shot put at the dual meet.
 
Kenia Irish-Bramble placed 2nd in the 400m hurdles (1:16.20), 8th in the 100m hurdles (19.59, PR), and 9th in the 400m (1:05.29) at the Bison Classic. At the dual meet, she won the 100m hurdles, placed 2nd in the 400m hurdles, and 3rd in the 400m.
 
Nana Samake delivered strong distance performances, finishing 2nd in the 10,000m (49:19.18), 2nd in the 5000m (26:13.30), and 7th in the 800m (2:55.30) at the Bison Classic. At the dual meet, she won the 10,000m, and placed 2nd in the 5000m and 1500m, 1st in the 800m, and 7th in the javelin.

Saviah Williams placed 8th in the 1500m at the Bison Classic with a PR of 6:07.45. At the dual meet, she won the 1500m and took 3rd in the 800m (3:09.94).

Maritza Argueta finished 3rd in the 5000m at the Bison Classic (26:28.09, PR), and followed up with a 3rd place in the 5000m and 4th in the 1500m at the dual meet.

Jada Lambert had a busy Bison Classic, placing 3rd in the triple jump (9.18m), 3rd in the high jump (1.30m, PR), 4th in the 3000m steeplechase (17:56.29), 3rd in the 400m hurdles (1:36.12), and 10th in the 100m hurdles (21.66). At the dual meet, she won the triple jump, high jump, and steeplechase, and also placed 3rd in the 400m hurdles and 10th in the 100m hurdles.

Jada Clayton placed 6th in the discus (20.93m), 8th in the shot put (8.20m), and 9th in the hammer throw with a PR of 26.27m at the Bison Classic. At the dual meet, she took 2nd in discus, 3rd in both shot put and hammer, and 4th in javelin.

The women's 4x100m Relay team (Thenica Thompson, Shaniya Chung, Rinnah Brown, Kenia Irish-Bramble) took first place at the Bison Classic with a conference-leading time of 53.01, and also captured first at the Gallaudet vs. Medgar Evers Dual Meet.
 
The women's 4x400m Relay team (Jada Lambert, Shaniya Chung, Keyeona Evans, Kenia Irish-Bramble) claimed second place at the Bison Classic, and snatched first place at the Gallaudet vs. Medgar Evers Dual Meet.

Next Up for the Cougars

The Cougars will return to the track and field this Friday and Saturday, as the teams will travel to New London, CT to compete in the Silfen Invitational. Start-time will be 4:00pm for both days of competition.