Virginia Union University's men's track and field team kicked off their 2026 outdoor season at the Fred Hardy Invitational, achieving multiple record-breaking performances. The event highlighted strong individual efforts, primarily from Dequan Boone who set a new outdoor school record in the shot put with a throw of 15.95 meters. Zachary Jones also made headlines by breaking the discus record with a throw of 51.56 meters, showcasing the team's potential for the season ahead. Overall, the meet served as a platform for identifying areas of improvement while also celebrating notable achievements.

By the Numbers
  • Dequan Boone's shot put record: 15.95 meters
  • Zachary Jones' discus record: 51.56 meters
  • Mychael Tucker's 400-meter dash time: 48.51 seconds
  • Jeremiah Palacious' long jump: 7.02 meters
State of Play
  • The team identified key areas for improvement from the season opener.
  • Top performances indicate a promising start for the outdoor season.
  • Upcoming meet at the Morehouse Relays scheduled for March 26鈥�28.
What's Next

The Virginia Union Panthers will compete at the Morehouse Relays next, where they will aim to build on their strong performances and further test their strength against other collegiate teams.

Bottom Line

The season opener not only showcased remarkable achievements but also highlighted the opportunities for growth as the team prepares for a competitive outdoor season ahead.