Courtesy of Howard University Athletics
WASHINGTON — With the 2024 Paris Olympics over a month away, several Howard University current and former HBCU standouts look to punch their tickets to the hottest summer sporting event of the year.
For the next couple weeks, more than a dozen Bison across three countries in two continents are set to compete in trials for the right to become an Olympian.
TRACK & FIELD
Four Bison are scheduled to compete in the US Track & Field Olympic Trials (June 21-30), held at historic Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore., led by two-time All-American Jessica Wright (Durham, N.C.).
Wright, one of the most decorated Bison in program history, made a name for herself in the long hurdles and was a member of the 4×400 relay squad. Currently, she remains the school’s 400-meter hurdles record holder (55.81).
Recent grad Dylan Beard (Baltimore) looks to etch himself in the record books after winning the 2024 Millrose Games with a 7.44 mark in the 110-meter hurdles. The Baltimore product wrapped up his HBCU career as a three-time All-MEAC First Team selection.
Noah Langford (Portsmouth, Va.) and Simone Watkins (Frisco, Texas) return to Eugene after successful runs at the 2024 NCAA Championships. Both Bison look to make Team USA after earning All-American honorable mention in the 400-meter hurdles.
Over the pond, newly appointed All-American Samuel Bennett (Langdon Hills, United Kingdom) sets his eyes on a trip to Paris after qualifying at the UK Championships (June 29-30). He looks to represent his country in the short hurdles (110-meter).
Otto Laing (Freeport, Bahamas) and Adam Musgrove (Nassau, Bahamas) finished their first season as Bison, earning All-MEAC Second Team and reaching the NCAA East First Round in Lexington, Ky. Both Bison are looking to secure spots on the Bahamian National Team (June 26-28).
SWIMMING & DIVING
In the pool, trials are underway throughout the world, including the US.
Thursday (June 20), recent grad Miles Simon (Atlanta) is set to compete in the US Olympic Trials, taking another shot in the 50-yard freestyle. In 2021, the Northeast Conference (NEC) Champion came up short, but his ground-breaking performance opened the door for future Bison and other swimmers looking to make the Summer Games from a Historically Black College and University (HBCU).
In the Bahamas (June 15-23), five Bison look to make the National Team while punching their tickets to Paris.
The Thompson Family, consisting of Luke-Kennedy Thompson (Nassau, Bahamas), Erald Thompson III (Nassau, Bahamas), Mark-Anthony Thompson (Nassau, Bahamas) and Zaylie-Elizabeth Thompson (Nassau, Bahamas), look to make a splash while dual-citizen Tristan Stevens (Chicago, Ill) seeks to lock up a spot for next month.
2024 PARIS OLYMPICS
The 2024 Paris Olympics is scheduled for July 26 to Aug. 11 in Paris, France.