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Photos by Reginald Christian, Albany State University

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The outdoor track and field season opened on a strong note for Albany State University over the weekend, as the Golden Rams and Lady Golden Rams turned in several standout performances at the Embry-Riddle Eagle Invite.

Competing against a deep field of programs, the Albany State men finished sixth out of 20 teams, while the Lady Golden Rams delivered one of the meet’s top performances, placing third among 16 teams.

Albany State’s athletes posted a series of top finishes across both track and field events, highlighting the program’s depth and providing an encouraging start to the 2026 outdoor season.

Sophomore Adoni Nembhard-Belcher led the Golden Rams on the track, finishing second in the 200 meters with a time of 21.37 seconds. Jace Weaver added a strong showing in the 100 meters, placing fifth in 10.60 seconds.

Weaver also helped anchor Albany State’s top relay performance of the meet as part of the 4×400-meter relay team that finished third with a time of 3:15.66. The relay squad — consisting of Weaver, Demario Jackson, Nembhard-Belcher and Amos Oruamabo — combined for one of the Golden Rams’ fastest times of the day. Albany State’s B relay team of Bangally Touray, Rayshawn Goodman, Gene Jones and Connor Jennings also turned in a solid effort, finishing in 3:23.67.

The Lady Golden Rams matched the men’s success with several strong individual and relay performances.

Cadence Cray led the way on the track with a third-place finish in the 400 meters, crossing the line in 56.96 seconds. Teammate Cadence Tanner placed fourth in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 15.03 seconds.

Albany State also showed impressive depth in the women’s 4×400-meter relay, where the Lady Golden Rams placed both second and third. The A team of Princess Okoye, TyAsia Brown, Cadence Tanner and Jeniya Lawrence finished second in 4:04.96, while the B team of Brea Vann, Sydney Haywood, Azzaria Brown and Jayda Spikes followed closely behind in third at 4:08.84.

Tanner also excelled in the field events, placing second in the long jump with a mark of 5.49 meters (18 feet, 0.25 inches). Teammate Savannah Sparks finished sixth in the same event with a jump of 5.16 meters (16-11.25).

Freshman Kaylee Holloway made an immediate impact in the throwing events, collecting three top-three finishes. Holloway placed second in the shot put with a throw of 11.97 meters (39-3.25), finished third in the discus at 42.19 meters (138-5) and took second in the hammer throw with a mark of 40.67 meters (133-5).

Additional field event highlights included Sataria Cantrell, who placed fourth in the shot put (10.73 meters) and sixth in the hammer throw (39.62 meters), while Levita Williams finished fifth in the discus with a throw of 38.07 meters (124-11). Freshman Skye Zwirner also turned in a solid performance in the javelin, placing fourth with a throw of 33.28 meters (109-2).