Charlotte, NC (April 28, 2026) – Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA®) Outdoor Track and Field competition continued across the conference as programs delivered strong performances across sprint, relay, and field events. Four student athletes earned recognition for their results during the week of April 19 through April 25.
WOMEN’S TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK - Heaven Copeland, Livingstone College
Heaven Copeland delivered a strong performance at the John Weaver Invitational, placing fourth in the finals of the 100 meters after running 11.94 in the prelims, which ranks fifth in the CIAA. She also anchored the 4x100 meter relay team to a second place finish with a time of 46.40, an NCAA provisional qualifying mark and the program’s top performance in the event since the early 2000s.
WOMEN’S FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK - Sabrena Hogan, Livingstone College
Sabrena Hogan delivered a strong showing at the John Weaver Invitational, placing fifth in the long jump and third in the triple jump against a field that included Division I competitors. Her triple jump mark ranks third in the CIAA this season.
MEN’S TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK - Elijah Fraser, Livingstone College
Elijah Fraser recorded a strong performance at the John Weaver Invitational, placing fourth in the 100 meters with a time of 11.77. He also contributed to the 4x100 meter relay team that posted a time of 40.68, an NCAA provisional qualifying mark and the program’s top performance in the event since the early 2000s, ranking fourth in the CIAA.
MEN’S FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK - Marqui Cheeks, Livingstone College
Marqui Cheeks delivered a solid performance in the throws at the John Weaver Invitational, placing fifth in both the shot put and the discus against a field that included Division I competitors. He currently ranks fifth in the CIAA in the shot put and eleventh in the discus.
CIAA Outdoor Track and Field now turns its focus to the 2026 CIAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, set to take place this weekend as teams compete for conference titles.
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.