This month, Howard University’s women’s track and field team won the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) in Boston, Massachusetts.
The team has now earned two consecutive titles.
On Feb. 21, the women also won the Middle Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC).
ECAC is a multidivisional athletic conference, supporting 15 sports, including men’s and women’s track and field/cross country.
Howard University also placed first “in the 1,600-meter relay, with a time of 3:36.03,” according to a press release.
Junior Darci Khan “placed first in the 60-meter dash with a time of 7.47 and hurdle with a time of 8.22,” and Kaya-Rae Dunbar “placed first in the 200-meter dash and second in the 60-meter hurdle with a time of 8.42.”
“Many of the women’s teams last year won their championships. This year both men’s and women’s teams are striving and winning their/our championships. I believe it’s only going up from here,” Dunbar said. “As a community, we are underestimated in many ways, so any win, I feel, feeds or boosts the Black community while also showing how powerful and strong we are.”
Dunbar started Howard University in 2020, “but she did not start competing until 2021 in the outdoor matches. Her sophomore year she competed in seven total matches placing first, second, and fifth in some of them,” according to her biography.
“I like track because I like to win, if I’m being honest. I’m a very competitive person. Being able to win at something I work hard for every day just makes it 10x better,” Dunbar said.
“I feel as though it can show them how strong, resilient, and powerful we can be as women. I believe that young Black girls, especially athletes, can look at us and believe that they can achieve their goals too, that they themselves can be champions, and aspire to be great,” said Dunbar.
A new school and meet record was set for the 400-meter dash with a time of 52.40 (school) and 52.89 (meet), according to their social media.
“As young female athletes, girls tend to look to older athletes in their sport for inspiration and as role models. I feel as though seeing young women achieve such great goals and titles will push them to strive for their goals. I think that they can look at us up on the podiums, with our medals, and trophies, and say ‘I want to do that,’” Dunbar said.
“In the MEAC the women earned five first place metals. Darci Khan won two medals, placing first in the 60-meter hurdles and 60-meter dash. Jessica Wright placed first in the 400-meter dash,” according to a press release.
“For my senior year, I hope to make it to NCAA championships for both our indoor and outdoor seasons. I hope to place as well. I strive to run sub 8 secs in the 60m hurdles and in the mid 12 secs in the 100m hurdles if I don’t do that this year,” said Dunbar. “With hard work, determination, a strong mind, and a strong heart, they can and will achieve their dreams. There’s nothing in this world that can get in their way.”
Christion Billy 