Two More Howard Women’s Track and Field Records Fall at the Navy Invitational II

Dasia Wilson and Rachel Edler reset record book

(Photo Credit – Megan Raymond)

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (February 1, 2020) – Howard University freshman Dasia Wilson (Philadelphia) and junior Rachel Edler (Stone Mountain, Ga.) headlined Saturday with a pair of record-setting performances at the Navy Invitational II in Landover, Md.

Wilson broke a 10-year school record in the women’s 800-meter run with a first-place time of 2:11.67 while Edler reset the program’s triple jump mark, leaping 12.25 meters (40’02.25”), which also won her gold.

“They've put in the work,” said Howard Director of Track andField David Oliver on the two record-setting performances. “With MEAC Indoor [Championships] just a few weeks away, they've definitely put themselves in a position to come home with some hardware.”

After Saturday’s meet, three more Bison qualified for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Indoor Championships in Landover, Md.

Second-year sprinter Jessica Wright (Durham, N.C.) placed third in the women’s 400-meter dash with a qualifying time of 57.19 while fellow classmate Melanie White (Orlando, Fla.) reached Landover in the mile-run, clocking in at 5:15.56.

In the field, sophomore Ja’Tae Joyner (Bowie, Md.) advanced with a second-place finish in the women’s long jump, vaulting more than 18 feet (5.59 meters). (...continued below.........)

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Backward Extensions

Drill

Turn away from your target (or direction you are running) and run backward extending your legs as far as they will reach. The goal is to get as much backward extension as possible to help develop fast-twitch muscle, hamstrings, quads and hip flexors.

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(......continued....)"We were very happy to get a chance to compete close to home this weekend before our big trip next week,” Director Oliver stated. “It was great to see our Howard administrators supporting the squad and getting an invite to compete at The Naval Academy is a big honor. We definitely represented ourselves well."

Howard racked up four individual victories on the day, including wins from senior Sydney Benson (Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich./1000-meter run/3:00.57) and junior Ameenah Saalih (Willingboro, N.J./200-meter dash/24.41).

“Our women really stepped up,” Director Oliver added. “An overall good day for us."

Next weekend (Feb. 7-8), the Bison will journey to Columbia, S.C. for the South Carolina Invitational, hosted by the Gamecocks.