STATEN ISLAND, New York/BOSTON, Massachusetts – The American International College track and field team competed at two events to open calendar year 2026, racing at the 2026 Wagner Invitational at the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex in Staten Island, New York on Saturday, January 17, and then at the Suffolk Ice Breaker held at the TRACK at new balance in Boston, Massachusetts on Sunday, January 18.

Jodiann Ebanks sparkled at Wagner to lead the women's team, finishing third in the 60-meter dash in 7.74 seconds and winning the 200-meter dash in 25.53 seconds, just edging out teammate Sydney Collins, who took second in 25.68 seconds. Collins actually improved her time slightly the following day in Boston, completing the 200-meter dash in 25.65 seconds and taking sixth.

On the men's side, Nnaemeka Amaechina was the top performer for the Yellow Jackets. His first effort in the triple jump in Boston yielded a 13.82-meter leap, and that won the event in a field of 16 that included four NCAA Division I student-athletes.

Nicardo Clarke also rated highly, taking second in a close 60-meter dash in 7.01 seconds; Saudrae Palmer Jr. finished fifth in 7.05 seconds. Junior Grant took the open 400-meter dash in 50.00 flat, with Romel Plummer fourth in 50.59 seconds. Rounding out the day, Grant, Justin Baker, Kevin Brady, and Ayoub El Fahim were fourth in the 4x400-meter relay in 3:25.22.

The team now turns its attention to the Gordon Kelly Invitational at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, scheduled for Saturday, January 24.