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Dillard University

Dillard Women Deliver Strong Sprint Performances and Key PRs in Competitive Meet

Mackenzie Cannon, the third leg of the 'B' team's 4x400 meter relay. Photo Credit: J'Brionne Helaire
Mackenzie Cannon, the third leg of the 'B' team's 4x400 meter relay. Photo Credit: J'Brionne Helaire
March 21, 2026

LAFAYETTE, LA– The Dillard University women's track & field team showcased speed, resilience, and continued development across multiple events, highlighted by strong sprint performances, personal bests, and competitive relay efforts.

Dillard's sprint group set the tone early in the 100 meters, with freshman Mackenzie Cannon leading the way at 11.95. Senior Tori Burton followed closely in 11.99, while freshman Tatiana Clay added a solid 12.04 performance, giving the Lady Bleu Devils three strong finishes in a highly competitive field.

Burton returned in the 200 meters to post a top finish for Dillard, clocking 24.69. Clay followed with a 24.93, while Cannon added a 25.42. Freshman Lazariah Garner contributed a 25.95, continuing to build depth in the sprint corps.

In the 400 meters, senior Ta'nijal Matthews recorded a season-best 59.63 to lead the team, with Garner close behind at 59.69. Freshman Karlise Davison turned in a personal-best performance of 1:00.02, continuing her steady progression this season.

Over the hurdles, senior Trinity Marshall led Dillard in the 100-meter hurdles with a 16.64 finish. Desire Robinson followed with a personal-best 17.33, while Darnee Williams added a 20.56 effort. In the 400-meter hurdles, sophomore Laila Johnson posted a strong 1:07.17, with Robinson finishing in 1:08.45.

In the middle-distance events, Davison paced Dillard in the 800 meters with a 2:38.10, while Caitlyn Gordon (2:46.59), Kennedy Timmons (2:52.91), and Nhaydia Flowers (2:55.12) added valuable performances. Flowers later recorded a personal-best 5:57.01 in the 1500 meters, while Timmons posted a season-best 6:05.46.

In the field events, senior Darneé Williams competed in multiple disciplines, recording a 25.10m mark in the hammer throw and 9.22m in the shot put. Sophomore Shaloni Walker highlighted the jumps, placing eighth in the triple jump with a mark of 10.37m and adding a 4.91m performance in the long jump.

Dillard's relay teams closed out the meet with competitive efforts. The women's 4x400-meter relay 'A' team of Karlise Davison, Laila Johnson, Tatiana Clay, and Ta'nijal Matthews finished in 4:12.08, while the 'B' team posted a 4:15.21. The 4x100-meter relay showed promise despite not finishing, indicating potential for strong performances moving forward.

Overall, the Lady Bleu Devils demonstrated growth and competitiveness throughout the meet, with multiple personal and season-best performances highlighting the team's continued progress as the season advances.

 

-Bleu Devils-