TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – After becoming an NAIA National qualifier last season, Chris Johnson was voted preseason Field Athlete of the Year for the 2025 All-HBCU Athletic Conference Track and Field Teams. Johnson was also named to the preseason All-HBCUAC Team.
"I am extremely proud that Chris Johnson has been named the Field Athlete of the Year," said Head coach
Ashley Curry. "It is a true testament to the dedication, perseverance, and hard work that Chris has put in day after day."
Johnson is Stillman's first national qualifier since 2016 and the first at the NAIA level. A native of Meridian, Mississippi, he earned his spot in the NAIA National Championships with a 50.12m throw to win the discus at the University of Montevallo Falcon Classic on March 15. He hit the 50-meter mark again on April 5 with a 50.63-meter first-place throw at the University of West Georgia Legends Meet.
Curry said, "This achievement is not just about his talent but about the relentless pursuit of excellence. I am incredibly proud and can't wait to see what this season holds!"
As a unit, the Stillman College men's team was picked for a fifth-place finish. Dillard earned the top spot in the preseason poll, followed by Talladega, Wiley, and Philander Smith. Voorhees, Rust, Virgin Islands and Fisk round out the nine team poll.
On the women's side, the Lady Tigers were picked for a seventh-place finish. Dillard topped the rankings, followed by Talladega, Wiley, Philander Smith, Fisk and Rust. Voorhees and Virgin Islands closed the poll.
The Stillman season starts Saturday with a trip down Interstate 20/59 for the UWA Invitational in Livingston, Alabama. The Tigers stay instate the following weekend for the Falcon Classic Multi hosted by the University of Montevallo (Ala.).
On March 22, the teams head to Jackson, Mississippi, for the Belhaven Invitational, which is followed by the two-day UAB Spring Invite in Birmingham, Alabama, on March 29-30.
The teams will have a week off before heading to Shreveport, Louisiana, for the HBCUAC Outdoor Championships on April 11-12. However, the season does not end there, as Stillman will travel to the 2023 Mike McMillan Twilight in Clinton, Mississippi, hosted by Mississippi College on April 25, and round out the season at the William Carey Invite on May 9.
The preseason teams and polls can be found below.
Men
Track Athlete of the Year: Jamaal Morris Jr., Dillard
Field Athlete of the Year: Christopher Johnson, Stillman
All-HBCUAC Team
Jamal Morris Jr., Dillard
Darren Petty Jr., Dillard
Markell Myles, Dillard
Christopher Johnson, Stillman
Xavier Hutchinson, Wiley
Preseason Ranking
1. Dillard University
2. Talladega College
3. Wiley University
4. Philander Smith University
5. Stillman College
6. Voorhees University
7. Rust College
8. University of the Virgin Islands
9. Fisk University
Women
Track Athlete of the Year: Kevell Byrd, Dillard
Field Athlete of the Year: Charra Bridges, Dillard
Preseason All-HBCUAC Team
Kevell Byrd, Dillard
Charra Bridges, Dillard
Tori Burton, Dillard
Tanijal Matthews, Dillard
Ja'Neisha Collins, Philander Smith
Preseason Ranking
1. Dillard
2. Talladega
3. Wiley
4. Philander Smith
5. Fisk
6. Rust
7. Stillman
8. Voorhees
9. Virgin Islands
