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Dillard University

Dillard Men’s Track & Field Dominates at PV Relays with School Record and Multiple Standout Performances

Denim Charles, third leg, handing off to Jamaal Morris Jr., the final leg, in the men's 4x100 meter relay at the 92nd Prairie View Relays. Photo Credit: James Pennington III
Denim Charles, third leg, handing off to Jamaal Morris Jr., the final leg, in the men's 4x100 meter relay at the 92nd Prairie View Relays. Photo Credit: James Pennington III
March 28, 2026

Prairie View, TX – March 27, 2026 — The Dillard University men's track & field team delivered an impressive showing at the Prairie View Relays, highlighted by a school-record performance in the 4x100-meter relay and several individual victories and personal bests.

The highlight of the meet came as Dillard's 4x100m relay team of Surprise Babalola, Denim Charles, Mark Emilien, and Jamaal Morris Jr. raced to a first-place finish in 40.07s, setting a new school record and establishing themselves as one of the top sprint relay units in the region.

Freshman standout Surprise Babalola continued his remarkable debut season, placing 2nd in the 100m final with a personal best of 10.26 after running 10.48 in the prelims.

In the quarter-mile, Senior Mark Emilien delivered a breakout performance, winning the 400m in a personal-best 47.39, leading a strong showing for Dillard. Teammate Markel Myles placed 7th (49.27), while freshman Dorian Cook added a personal best of 52.48.

Myles also contributed in the hurdles, finishing 6th in the 400m hurdles (53.78), while Cook posted a personal best in the event (1:00.30).

In middle-distance action, Kydell Miner led the way with a 3rd-place finish in the 800m (1:59.57, PB), followed by solid performances from freshmen Khel Arvie (2:01.83) and Jordan Thomas (2:03.91).

In the 200m, James Pennington III clocked a season-best 22.28s, while Romel Collins followed closely with a 22.45s.

Field events saw Stanley Rhone place 7th in the hammer throw (44.11m) and record a personal best in the shot put (10.12m). Anthony Thompson added points with an 8th-place finish in the long jump (6.40m), and freshman Elijah Williams placed 7th in the high jump (1.78m).

"This was a strong, complete performance from our team," said Coach Legania . "We're seeing growth across the board—from our freshmen stepping up to our relay groups executing at a high level. Setting a school record in the 4x100 shows what we're capable of."

The Bleu Devils will look to build on this momentum as they head into the next phase of the outdoor season as they get closer to the conference championship.

-Bleu Devils-