Three JMU Freshmen Head to 2026 USATF U20 Outdoor Championships

Freshmen Mykenzie Britton, Bria Byrd, and Sky Bleu Tyson will represent the Dukes at the 2026 USATF U20 Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Ore., on June 18-19. They are the first athletes from the program to compete at the meet since 2022, according to official event records.

The trio’s appearance at historic Hayward Field marks a return to the national stage. Jordyn Henderson was the last Duke to compete at the event, finishing ninth in the first round of the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 13.95 in 2022.

How did the freshmen qualify for the championships?

Mykenzie Britton secured her spot in the 400-meter dash by recording a personal best of 53.65 at the Sun Belt Outdoor Championship. This performance placed her fourth in the event and cleared the 54.00 qualifying standard, while also moving her into second place all-time in program history.

Bria Byrd qualified for the long jump after recording a mark of 6.30m (20-8) at the Virginia Challenge in April. A Norfolk, Va. native, Byrd is the only member of the group to participate in the NCAA East First Round and holds the No. 2 spot in the JMU record book for both indoor and outdoor long jump.

Sky Bleu Tyson qualified in the 400-meter hurdles with a personal record of 1:00.04. This time earned her fourth place at the conference meet and ranks her fourth in program history.

Did You Know? Bria Byrd currently holds the No. 2 ranking in the JMU record book for both indoor and outdoor long jump.

What is the competition schedule for the Dukes?

Competition begins Thursday, June 18. Mykenzie Britton is scheduled for the 400m prelims at 3:30 p.m. ET, followed by Sky Bleu Tyson in the 400H prelims at 4:18 p.m. ET. Bria Byrd is set for flight one of the women’s long jump at 7:30 p.m. ET.

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Finals for the running events are scheduled for Friday, June 19. The 400m final takes place at 6:38 p.m. ET, and the 400H final follows at 7:38 p.m. ET.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that seeing three freshmen simultaneously break into the program’s all-time top five rankings suggests a significant shift in the team’s immediate competitive ceiling. The stakes are high as these athletes attempt to translate conference success to a national stage.

What happens next for the athletes?

The athletes may advance to the finals on Friday if they perform well in Thursday’s preliminary rounds. Depending on their results in Eugene, they could further improve their standings in the JMU program record books.

Fans can track live results at live.athletic.net or stream the event via USATF.tv.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where will the 2026 USATF U20 Outdoor Championships be held?
The event takes place at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.

Who is the only Duke to compete at this meet between 2022 and 2026?
Jordyn Henderson competed in 2022, finishing ninth in the first round of the 100-meter hurdles.

What is Mykenzie Britton’s personal best in the 400-meter dash?
Britton recorded a personal best of 53.65.

Which of these freshmen do you think has the best chance to break a program record in Eugene?