COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Central State Marauders women's track and field team delivered a complete, all-around performance at the 2026 SIAC Track and Field Championships, using a balanced attack across sprints, field events, and relays to secure an impressive fourth-place team finish.
Leading the way for the Marauders was Ashyia Maddickes, who emerged as Central State's top overall scorer with a dominant showing in the field events. Maddickes made her biggest impact in the horizontal jumps, highlighted by a podium finish in the long jump, giving Central State a critical scoring boost and setting the tone for the weekend. Her ability to deliver in championship moments helped anchor the Marauders' push into the top four.
On the track, freshman standout Jay'Deen Batchelor continued her breakout season with a third-place finish in the 100 meters (12.01), while also competing strongly in the 200 meters against one of the conference's deepest sprint fields. Senior Jurnie Hemsley added another podium performance, placing third in the 400 meters (56.54), and Ciara Valentine contributed additional depth with a scoring finish in the same event.
The Marauders' success extended into the relays, where Central State's sprint units competed at a high level throughout the meet. The women's relays added valuable points and showcased the team's speed and cohesion, playing a key role in separating the Marauders from the middle of the standings. Combined with strong field event production, Central State demonstrated the kind of balance needed to compete with top programs like Tuskegee Golden Tigers and Albany State Golden Rams.
On the men's side, the Marauders battled to a sixth-place finish, highlighted by contributions across distance, field, and relay events. In the throws, Nathaniel McHardy delivered a strong performance in the shot put, adding key points for Central State and continuing the program's presence in the field events. On the track, the Marauders' 4x400-meter relay team turned in a competitive effort, contributing crucial team points and closing out the meet with energy and momentum.
Central State also saw strong individual performances from Alex Payne, who placed fourth in the 5,000 meters, and Andrew Drumwright, who earned a sixth-place finish in the 1500 meters. Additional scoring efforts from Reyhan Muhammad in the 800 meters and Natnael Tewolde in the 5,000 meters rounded out a well-balanced team performance.
By the conclusion of the championships in Columbia, the Marauders proved they are building something special. With standout performances from Maddickes and a strong supporting cast across track, field, and relays, Central State's women's team continues to rise—while the men's program showed depth and versatility across multiple disciplines. Together, the Marauders demonstrated growth, competitiveness, and a foundation for continued success within the SIAC.
