SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Laila Gaynor and Joe Quez Keith delivered standout performances as the Alabama A&M University men’s and women’s track and field teams opened the 2026 indoor season Saturday at the Vulcan Invitational at the Birmingham CrossPlex.
Gaynor captured first place in the women’s 200-meter dash, clocking a winning time of 24.58, which ranks as the ninth-fastest HBCU time in the event. She also competed in the 60 meters, finishing fifth with a time of 7.74. On the men’s side, Keith claimed victory in the 400 meters, posting a personal-best 48.16, the 13th-best HBCU mark this season.
Alabama A&M recorded several additional podium finishes. Briana Samuels placed second in the women’s 800 meters at 2:17.66, while Amber Jamison earned third in the triple jump with a mark of 11.33 meters. In the men’s triple jump, Joshua Graham finished second after posting 14.94 meters, ranking seventh among HBCUs.
The Bulldogs also saw strong depth across events. In women’s track action, Kennedy Hill finished ninth in the 400 meters, while Minka Isom placed seventh in the 800. Laura Avila set a school record in the 3000 meters with a time of 10:36.49, finishing fourth, while Sanyae Gibson placed sixth.
In the women’s field events, Leah Brown recorded a personal-best 12.79 meters in the weight throw to finish eighth.
Men’s track highlights included Kayden Washington, who qualified for the 60-meter finals and ran a personal-best 7.03to place sixth. Kody Pugh finished sixth in the 400 meters, and Sherman Lattimore placed eighth in the 200.
Field performances were led by Cameron Andrews, who placed second in the long jump, and Corey Harris, who finished fourth in the pole vault.
Up Next
Alabama A&M returns to action Friday and Saturday at the Vanderbilt Invitational in Nashville, Tennessee.