UTEP TF’s Praise Djoma Grabs Gold with a Personal-Best Leap in the Long Jump on Day 1 at the CUSA Championships Friday

2/27/2026 10:09:00 PM

RESULTS: MEN'S | WOMEN'S

LYNCHBURG, Va. – UTEP track and field's Praise Djoma leaped a personal-best 6.25 meters (20-6.5) in the women's long jump, and eight Miners advanced to tomorrow's finals on the first day of competition at the 2026 Conference USA Indoor Track & Field Championships at the Liberty Indoor Track Complex on Friday.

Djoma, an All-CUSA first team performer, won her first medal at the indoor championships. It's her second career gold medal (triple jump at the 2025 CUSA OTFC) and third overall medal (bronze in the long jump at the 2025 CUSA OTFC). Djoma's victory gave the Miners 10 points. Djoma is the first Miner in six seasons to take gold in the women's long jump. Chantoba Bright (2020) was the last to do so.

"It was a strong first day for us here at the Conference USA Indoor Track and Field Championships. We crowned a conference champion in Praise Djoma, and she did it in a big way with a lifetime best of 6.25 meters in the long jump," first-year Head Coach Francesca Green said. "That was a championship performance on a big stage, and I'm incredibly proud of how she competed. She's the first Miner to win gold in the long jump since 2020, and that says a lot about the work she's put in and the standard she's chasing. We're excited to see her come back tomorrow in the triple jump."

Sarah Dovenbarger finished eighth in the women's pole vault with a season-best 3.71-meter mark (12-2). Dovenbarger, a sophomore from Franklin High School, scored her first career point for UTEP.

"We also had 11 total personal bests on the day, which shows our group is competing with confidence and stepping up when it matters," Green said. "I'm very proud of Sarah Dovenbarger in the pole vault, matching her personal best at 3.71 meters and scoring an important point for our team. With 10 athletes advancing to finals, we've given ourselves real opportunities heading into day two."

The UTEP women's squad scored 11 overall points and stands in sixth after day one. FIU is first with 50 points, host Liberty is second (47.5), and Kennesaw State is third (46.5). Middle Tennessee and WKU are tied for fourth with 27 points apiece.

In the women's track events, five student-athletes advanced to Saturday's finals in their respective events.

Grace Culver turned in a personal-best time of 8.55 in the 60-meter hurdles and finished fifth to qualify for the final.

Cydni Martin was sixth in the 60H with a time of 8.68, joining her teammate in the final race. Martin was also third in the 200-meter dash prelims with a personal-best time of 24.05.

Londyn Colon also advanced in two events, clocking in a personal-best 7.53 (eighth place) in the women's 60-meter dash prelims to qualify, and used another personal best, this time in the 200-meter dash with a time of 24.14 (fifth).

Amai Newman qualified with a seventh-place finish in the 400-meter dash prelims (55.33).

Addison Stricklin advanced in the 200 with a time of 24.28 (eighth).

On the men's side, three Miners advanced.
Juan Leal started the day with a first-place finish in the men's mile prelims, clocking in at 4:12.73.

Amir Williams used a season-best time of 7.95 and a third-place showing in the men's 60H.

Timothy Grice was fifth in the men's 200 with a season-best time of 21.24. Grice also clocked in a personal-best 6.87 in the men's 60 prelims.

Overall, a total of 11 personal bests were set. Joseph Gomez Whitten (6.90 in the 60), Elias Munoz (6.86 in the 60), Salma Lincon (5:05.93), Mathew Polk (48.77 in the 400), in the mile), and Juantai-Shay Williams (7.65 in the 60) also set PRs in day one action.

"We're excited about where we stand, confident in our preparation, and ready to compete for every point tomorrow," Green added. "The energy is high, and we're looking forward to finishing strong."

SATURDAY'S TRACK FINALS
Men's mile – Leal – 12:00 pm MST/ 2 ET
Women's 60H – Culver, Martin -12:30 pm
Men's 60H – Williams – 12:35 pm
Women's 400 – Newman – 12:45 pm
Women's 60 – Colon – 1:05 pm
Women's 200 – Martin, Colon, Stricklin – 1:40 pm
Men's 200 – Grice – 1:45 pm
Women's 3000 – Vallary Kiplagat, Licon – 1:50 pm
Men's 3000 – Leal, Israel Quintana, Paul Rotich, Nethaneel Taylor – 2:20 pm
Women's 4x400 – 2:50 pm, Men's 4x400 – 3:15 pm

SATURDAY'S FIELD FINALS
Women's Shot Put – Malorie Richardson-Clay – 10 am MST/NOON ET
Women's High Jump – Elijah Ebow-Renich, Peace Ewa – 10 am
Women's Triple Jump – Djoma – 1 pm

2026 CUSA ITF CHAMPIONSHIPS INFORMATION
LIVE RESULTS | SCHEDULE | ESPN+ STREAM: SAT

JOIN THE 915 CAMPAIGN
UTEP Athletics has launched the "915 Campaign." Fans can support the UTEP Track & Field Excellence Fund, which directly impacts the success of UTEP student-athletes. To join the "915 Campaign" and become a difference maker for UTEP Athletics, please click here.

Help support UTEP student-athletes by making a gift to the Miner Athletic Club. Visit https://am.ticketmaster.com/utep/donor-level/MTY%3D today!

For complete coverage of UTEP Track & Field/Cross Country, be sure to follow the Miners on social media at @UTEPTrack (Twitter/Instagram/Facebook) or visit the official home of UTEP Athletics at UTEPMiners.com.

Print Friendly Version