Track & Field | 4/3/2026 10:45:00 PM
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – North Carolina A&T junior sprinter/hurdler
Xzaviah Taylor made his first true gesture toward qualifying for the 2026 NCAA Division I East Preliminary Round on Friday.
The A&T outdoor men's and women's track and field teams competed on Friday during the first day of the prestigious Florida Relays hosted by the University of Florida at Pressly Stadium/Percy Beard Stadium.
Following his impressive start, Taylor completed the men's 400-meter hurdles in 50.37 to finish fourth overall and third in his heat. The time moves Xzaviah into first place in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) rankings, and he is tied for 10th nationally with UC Santa Barbara's Finn Andrews. Friday's time was just over a second slower than the personal record 49.18 he ran at last season's NCAA Division I East Prelim.
Xzaviah's twin brother,
Isaiah Taylor, also raced in the 400H, placing 22nd overall and seventh in the heat with a 52.49. Isaiah ranks third in the 400H behind his brother. The Aggies improved their standing in the men's 4x100-meter relay, overtaking Hampton for the CAA's top spot.
The relay team of juniors
Lassale Hewlett and
Jordan Ware, senior
Jalen Booth-Mitchell, and sophomore
Correy McManus Jr. posted a 40.10 to finish 10th overall and third in their UF heat. Although the Aggies missed qualifying for the 4x100 final, they notched the CAA's fastest time this season, just ahead of Hampton's 40.19 on March 20. A&T's 4x100 time ranks 41st nationally.
On the women's side, Graduate
Spirit Morgan finished in the top 5 at the Florida Relays. Her best jump measured 5 feet, 9 ¼ inches, tying her for fourth with Louisiana's Alaysha Val. Morgan's earlier 5-foot, 9 ¾-inch jump at N.C. State's Raleigh Relays keeps her at No. 1 in the conference and 17th nationally. Additionally, junior
Deavion Deleon ran a 4:30.55 in the women's 1500m invitational.
Deleon finished 23rd overall with that time, which moves her into the No. 7 ranking in the conference. The Aggies will continue action on Saturday at the Florida Relays before heading to Duke University's Duke Invitational, scheduled for April 9-11 at Morris Williams Track & Field Stadium.
