Johnson and Moses Represent SUNO in Comeback Track Meet

HAMMOND, La. — After more than five years away from competition, the Southern University at New Orleans Track and Field program made its long-awaited return to the track Saturday, as the Knights competed in the 2026 Strawberry Relays hosted by Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Louisiana.

The meet, which featured men's and women's athletes from programs across the NCAA and NAIA landscape, served as the first competition for a SUNO program that was suspended following the 2020 outdoor season. The relaunch has been spearheaded by Director of Athletics James A. Matthews, III, who made it a priority to breathe new life into the Knights' track and field tradition — and did so by bringing home one of SUNO's own.

Matthews hired Safia Jenkins to lead the program as head coach. A former SUNO student-athlete herself, Jenkins is a conference champion and NAIA All-American who knows firsthand what it means to wear the green and gold on the track. On Saturday, she brought nine Knights to Hammond for what she called a milestone moment for the program — and for the university.

"I'm so proud of each and every one of them," Jenkins said of her athletes, noting that most of them had never competed at the collegiate level before stepping to the line in Hammond.

Women's Competition

The women's side saw sophomores Tanyhie Johnson and freshman Janetter Moses represent the Knights in both the 100 and 200 meters. Johnson ran a 13.85 in the 100 meters and followed with a 30.27 in the 200, while Moses posted times of 13.96 and 29.65, respectively, in her collegiate debut. Both athletes gained crucial experience competing against a deep field that included runners from Southern, Xavier-Louisiana, Mississippi Valley State, and Miss. Univ. for Women.

Jelena Tyus also suited up for the Knights and took to the runway in the triple jump, though she did not record a mark in the event.

Looking Ahead

While the times and marks reflect a program at the very beginning of its journey, the significance of the day went far beyond the results sheet. For Jenkins, Matthews, and the nine student-athletes who made the trip to Hammond, Saturday was about more than competition — it was about restoration.

The Knights are back.