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Lady Panthers Place Second at 2026 CIAA Women's Track "& Field Championship Meet

5/2/2026 8:12:00 PM

ETTRICK, VA - The Claflin University Lady Panthers finished in second place at the 2026 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Women's Track & Field Championship Meet, Saturday. The Lady Panthers put on a terrific performance as they totaled 125.42 total points, just five points behind the champion Winston-Salem State Rams. With the finish, the Lady Panthers completed their best showing since joining the CIAA in the summer of 2018.
 
The Lady Panthers did the bulk of their work on the track. Claflin junior Latrice Brown led the way with 24 total points scored at the meet She made four trips to the podium throughout the two-day meet. She won both the women's 200m dash (23.92) and the women's 100m dash (11.88) as well. She was also a member of the Lady Panthers' 4x100m relay (45.42) team that took first place and the women's 4x400m relay team that recorded a third place finish as well. Freshman Brea Childs also had a tremendous day when she won the women's 400m dash with a 55.14. She was a member of the Lady Panthers' 4x100m relay and the 4x400m relay teams. Junior Obiageli Akubude also won the women's 100m hurdles with a 13.99.
 
In field events, Claflin sophomore Cheyenne Williams led the way for the team. She won the women's javelin throw with a 126' 4" (38.51m) throw. Junior Zhaire Mack placed third in the event with a 116' 3" (35.44m) throw.
 
The performance came along with honors. Brown was named the 2026 CIAA Women's Track Most Valuable Performer (MVP). With the 24 points totaled, Brown led all participants, men's and women's, at the meet.
 
With the conference championship meet done, the Lady Panthers will turn their attentions to the national stage. The team has several likely qualifiers for the 2026 NCAA Division II Women's Outdoor Track & Field National Championship Meet.
 
For more information on Lady Panthers track & field, contact the Claflin University Office of Athletics Media Relations at (803) 535-5548 or log on to www.athletics.claflin.edu.