Charlotte, NC (January 20, 2026) – CIAA Indoor Track and Field programs continued 2026 competition with strong early season results across the sprints, throws, and horizontal jumps. Four student athletes earned recognition for their performances during the week of January 11 through January 17.
WOMEN’S TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Asheika Smith, Winston-Salem State University
Sophomore sprinter Asheika Smith opened 2026 with a strong performance at the Ramapo College and HBCU Showcase in New York, winning the women's 200m in 24.90. The result continues her high level form from last season and gives the Rams early sprint speed to start the calendar year.
WOMEN’S FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Leila Henderson, Winston-Salem State University
Freshman thrower Leila Henderson delivered a standout performance at the Ramapo College and HBCU Showcase, setting a new WSSU school record in the shot put with a mark of 42 2.69 to win the event. Her performance currently ranks first in the CIAA, second in the Atlantic Region, and seventeenth nationally in Division II.
MEN’S TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Carlo Johnson, Lincoln University (PA)
Freshman sprinter Carlo Johnson turned in a strong performance at the HBCU Showcase in New York, placing second overall in the 400 meters with a time of 48.75. Johnson scored eight team points for the Lions and posted one of the top individual marks of the meet.
MEN’S FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Timothy Butler, Virginia Union University
Sophomore thrower Timothy Butler placed second in the weight throw at the HBCU Showcase in New York with a mark of 15.60m (51 feet 2.25 inches). Butler was the top CIAA finisher in the event and added a strong early season mark for the Panthers throw group.
CIAA Indoor Track and Field competition continues as teams position themselves for championship contention ahead of the 2026 CIAA Indoor Track and Field Championships. The championship meet will take place February 15 through February 16 at Tryon International in Mill Spring, North Carolina.
Media Contact
Anna M. Butzlaff
Associate Commissioner, Strategic Communications
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA)
abutzlaff@theciaa.com
About the CIAA
Founded in 1912, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is the first, and longest running, African American athletic conference in the United States and one of the most recognized conferences in Division II. The CIAA conducts 14 championships attended by more than 150000 fans from around the country. The Basketball Tournament has been honored as a 2019 Champion of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism by Sports Destination Management for both 2018 and 2019.
Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the CIAA is governed by the Presidents and Chancellors of its 12 member institutions: Bowie State University, Bluefield State University, Claflin University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Livingstone College, Shaw University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, and Winston-Salem State University. For more information on the CIAA, visit theciaa.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.