CIAA Indoor Track & Field Championships Preview
Fayetteville State University | Program Perspective, Momentum & Matchups
Dates: Feb. 15–16, 2026 •
Location: Tryon International, Mill Spring, N.C.
Start Times: Track at
10:00 AM, Field at
11:00 AM.
A Championship Program: Fayetteville State's Recent Run of Excellence
Before breaking down event matchups, it's important to understand what this meet represents for Fayetteville State: not just a title opportunity, but the continuation of a dynasty run that has reshaped the CIAA track & field landscape.
FSU's Recent Championship Resume (2021–2025)
- Five straight CIAA Women's Indoor Track & Field Championships (2019–2025), including the most recent in 2025, when the Broncos scored 150 points to secure the crown. Senior Ronee Tudor won the 60m title, Janya Moore won 200m gold and earned CIAA Female Runner of the Year, and FSU's depth powered them through relay and field events.
- Three straight CIAA Outdoor Championships (2022–2024), including a dominant 174‑point performance in the 2024 CIAA Outdoor Championship. The Broncos swept the jumps through M'Smrya Seward, saw podiums in throws and distance, and captured multiple relay titles.
- In 2025 outdoor, FSU narrowly missed a fourth straight title by just 0.5 points, showing the program remains at the heart of every CIAA championship battle.
This sustained success places Fayetteville State among the conference's most dominant modern programs—especially in indoor track & field, where they remain the five‑time defending champions heading into the 2026 meet.
Current Form: Broncos Enter 2026 Ready to Extend Their Legacy
FSU will arrive at the Tryon International facility with the same battle‑tested balance—sprints, distance, and throws—that built their championship streak, but this year's squad leans especially strong on middle-distance depth and elite throwing ability. The Broncos' standout performances at the Camel City meets showcased breakout efforts in the 1500/mile, strong 60H and sprint development, and scoring‑level marks in the jumps and throws. Meanwhile, the 2026 CIAA Performance List positions FSU's top athletes firmly among the favorites in several event groups, especially the 800m, mile, and throws.
Key Matchups & Where FSU Can Win This Meet
To extend their championship streak, these are the event battles FSU must win—or strategically manage—across the two-day meet:
Middle-Distance Takeover (FSU vs. WSSU & Lincoln)
This remains the
foundation of Fayetteville State's dominance.
- 800m:
- FSU: Faith Kiplimo (CIAA #1, 2:16.14), Nia Gibson (T‑4), Ashley Bell (#9).
- Challengers: Rainn Sheppard (WSSU), Ava Millner (WSSU), Toni Middlebrooks (VUU).
- Why it matters: FSU has the best depth in the CIAA here—this could be a 15‑point swing event.
- Mile:
- FSU: Sweeps the top three seeds with Kiplimo, Kosgei, and Jebet.
- Challengers: WSSU's Millner and Bryant could make it fast or tactical.
- FSU Advantage: This is historically a Bronco bread‑and‑butter event—distance depth has been the program's championship identity for years.
Sprints (FSU chasing Claflin, WSSU, JCSU)
A category where FSU once dominated—remember
Tudor's 60m title and
Moore's 200m championship in 2025. This year, the field is deeper across the CIAA:
- 60m:
- FSU: Malaysia Barber (7.93), Ziyah Etchison (7.98).
- Opponents: Jadah Rasool (Claflin, 7.62), Benloss (WSSU), Morris (WSSU).
Path to points: FSU needs one finalist—upset potential comes if their technical starters catch a hot heat.
- 200m:
- FSU: Barber (25.77).
- Opponents: JCSU's Janya Barnes (24.70), Claflin's Coverson-Springs (24.82), WSSU's Smith (24.86).
Context: FSU used to rule this event (Moore won the 2025 title). This year, they'll need a breakthrough performance to stay in team scoring range.
- 400m (FSU in the Finalist Hunt)
- FSU: Sierrah Matthews (58.34), Sanai Forte (59.41).
- Opponents: Claflin's Brea Childs (56.23), JCSU's Wicks, WSSU's Cosby.
Impact: FSU can't win this event outright but placing two in the final limits rival sprint‑heavy teams from pulling away.
Throws (Aaliyah Whyte = Championship Anchor Event)
FSU's throwing success echoes that of
Ashley Taylor's podium runs during the 2024 outdoor title.
- FSU: Whyte (WT 16.00m, SP 13.00m)
- Why it matters: She is a legitimate double‑podium favorite, a rare advantage that gives FSU stability across two events most CIAA teams can't match.
Outcome swing: If Whyte wins one event and medals in the other, FSU could claim 12–18 points.
Jumps: Quiet Points from a Program with Jumping Pedigree
FSU's jumping tradition is strong—remember
M'Smrya Seward's triple gold sweep in 2024 (LJ/TJ/HJ) that helped power FSU to the outdoor title.
How FSU Wins the 2026 Championship
Using CIAA scoring (10–8–6–5–4–3–2–1), these estimate ranges reflect best‑case paths:
- 800m: 12–18 pts
- Mile: 18–26 pts
- 400m: 4–8 pts
- Sprints: 0–4 pts
- Throws: 12–18 pts
- Jumps: 1–6 pts
Projected Total: 47–80 points, which historically places FSU in the
top‑three and firmly within
title contention.
The Blueprint for a Sixth Straight Indoor Title:
- Dominate middle-distance (their historical strength).
- Win throws or place twice (Whyte is key).
- Limit damage in sprints—a few finals spots go a long way.
- Sneak jump points to create separation.
Final Perspective: Legacy on the Line
Fayetteville State isn't just entering another CIAA Indoor Championship—they are defending a five‑year reign built on depth, consistency, and championship culture. From Ronee Tudor's sprint titles to M'Smrya Seward's historic jumping sweep, from distance standouts like Jeptoo, Gibson, Korir, and Cheptoo to the steady leadership of Coach
Inez Turner (multiple-time CIAA Coach of the Year), the Broncos have authored a dominant chapter in CIAA history.
As they head to Mill Spring, N.C., FSU once again carries the target on its back—but also the experience, structure, and event balance that championship programs are built on.
If the middle-distance unit delivers and Whyte anchors the field events, Fayetteville State could very well extend one of the most impressive streaks in CIAA track & field history.
