On Sunday, the swim team at Howard University in D.C. won the Northeast Conference championship. This is the team’s first conference title in over 30 years.
Nicholas Askew, the head coach stated that the team was victorious during the event. It took place in Geneva, Ohio.
Recently, the team has celebrated several victories. Additionally, many people have started to notice.
In the competition on Sunday, Howard University’s swim team earned 928 points. This was done by winning by a 169-point margin. With 759 points, Long Island University was the runner-up.
“It’s a very exciting time right now. To be able to compete at this high of a level and to win, especially in a sport that is underrepresented by minorities, is a major feat,” stated Askew.
Howard University is noted for having the only swim program out of the more than 100 Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Now, the institution is challenging misconceptions about the capabilities of Black swimmmers. They have also proved that HBCUs are able to compete in a sport where there aren’t many Black athletes.
“There is that myth out there that Blacks don’t swim. It’s something that we’re working desperately hard to overcome every single day,” Askew added.
The next step for the team will be heading to the national competition in Indiana for the CSCAA National Invitational Championship. This will take place from March 9 to 11.
