Central State Claims Runner-Up Finish at 2026 HBCU National Indoor Championships
The HBCU National Indoor Track and Field Championships delivered two days of high-energy competition on March 6–7 at the Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center in Louisville, and the Central State University men's track and field team rose to the occasion with one of the strongest championship performances in program history. The Marauders battled event after event to secure second place overall, finishing behind powerhouse Howard University in the final team standings.
From the first gun to the final relay, Central State athletes showed depth, resilience, and championship grit.
Sprint Power Sets the Tone
Central State's sprinters made an immediate statement in the 60-meter final. Junior Jae-Lijah Cochran exploded from the blocks to capture second place in 6.93, earning 8 crucial team points. Teammate Kaname Bryant added to the scoreboard with a sixth-place finish (7.08).
Cochran doubled back later in the 200 meters, racing to seventh place (22.16) in a stacked field dominated by Howard sprinters. Every point proved valuable as the team kept pace in the overall standings.
Quarter-Milers Deliver in the 400
Central State's 400-meter squad produced another strong showing in the finals.
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Qimarreon Marks – 5th place, 48.77 (PR)
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Austin Fenn – 6th place, 49.12
Together the pair added 7 team points, keeping the Marauders firmly in contention during the meet's middle stages.
Distance Squad Dominates the 800 and DMR
Central State's middle-distance crew delivered one of the most impressive collective performances of the meet in the 800 meters, placing four runners in the top eight:
Those finishes produced a massive 15-point haul.
The distance runners saved their best moment for the Distance Medley Relay, where Drumwright, Muhammad, Payne, and Marks combined for a winning time of 11:14.02, securing 10 championship points and the national title in the event.
Field Events Provide Major Boost
Central State's field athletes played a huge role in the runner-up finish.
In the high jump, junior Jevon Warren soared to 1.95m (6-4.75) to win the national championship, while teammate Myles Russell added third place.
Russell also contributed in the long jump, placing fourth (6.37m) for additional team points.
In the throws, Nathaniel McHardy delivered a clutch performance in the shot put, finishing second with a throw of 14.88m, earning 8 points for the Marauders.
Relays Seal the Team Finish
Central State's relay teams capped the meet with two strong finishes.
The 4×200 relay team of Cochran, Fenn, Anthony Thompson Jr., and Bryant sprinted to second place in 1:27.55, while the 4×400 relay squad of Bryant, Thompson Jr., Fenn, and Marks closed the championship with another runner-up finish (3:17.29) in a thrilling race against Howard.
A Championship Effort
Across sprints, distance races, relays, and field events, the Marauders showcased a balanced roster and relentless effort. With event victories from Warren in the high jump and the Distance Medley Relay squad, plus scoring performances throughout the lineup, Central State stacked points all weekend.
