THE HILL | The Alabama A&M University track & field program heads to Birmingham this weekend for the 2026 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Indoor Track & Field Championships, set for Saturday and Sunday at the Birmingham CrossPlex.
After a competitive indoor slate filled with strong performances and personal-best marks, the Bulldogs enter the conference championship meet focused on maximizing points across sprints, middle distance, relays and field events.
WOMEN'S OUTLOOK
The Bulldogs bring a balanced lineup highlighted by veteran leadership and proven scorers. Senior sprinter
Laila Gaynor has paced Alabama A&M in the short sprints throughout the season and is expected to contend in the 60m and 200m, while also anchoring the 4x400-meter relay.
Senior
Brianna Samuels has provided consistency in the 600m and 800m and will be a key contributor in middle-distance events, while the relay unit featuring Gaynor, Samuels and a deep supporting cast gives AAMU strong scoring potential in the 4x400m.
In the field events, Alabama A&M will look to generate additional points in the horizontal jumps, adding depth to the overall team scoring equation.
MEN'S OUTLOOK
The Bulldogs have shown steady improvement throughout the indoor season, particularly in the 4x400m relay. The group has posted competitive times heading into the championship meet and will aim to challenge for a podium finish.
Middle-distance and mile competitors have also delivered solid efforts in recent weeks, positioning the Bulldogs to score valuable points in tightly contested races.
CHAMPIONSHIP FOCUS
With the SWAC meet often decided by narrow margins, Alabama A&M's emphasis will be on advancing athletes into finals and capitalizing on relay opportunities. Depth and execution will play a pivotal role as the Bulldogs compete against the conference's top programs.
The two-day championship begins Saturday morning with preliminary heats and field events, followed by finals on Sunday.
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