Wilberforce University will once again make history as its gymnastics team hosts the nation's only collegiate gymnastics competition held on an HBCU campus, welcoming fellow HBCU-member Fisk University and NCAA-member Greenville University to the Gaston F. Lewis Arena inside the Alumni Multiplex at 2 p.m. on Sunday. 

This marks the second time in two years that Wilberforce has hosted collegiate gymnastics meet on campus, further solidifying the University's growing national presence in the sport and its role as a trailblazer among Historically Black Colleges and Universities. 

"Anytime you can bring a collegiate gymnastics competition to an Historically Black College and University campus, it's a culturally significant event," said Dr. Morgan Byrd, Head Gymnastics Coach at Wilberforce University. "It's especially rewarding to host this meet during Black History Month, as it highlights progress, representation, and opportunity in a sport where diversity has historically been limited." 

The annual meet is held in partnership with Brown Girls Do Gymnastics, a national organization dedicated to increasing access, visibility, and equity for young women of color in the sport. Together, the partnership reinforces Wilberforce's mission to inspire the next generation of gymnasts while celebrating excellence at the collegiate level. 

The Bulldogs enter the weekend with strong momentum following a season-best performance against Bowling Green State University, where Wilberforce posted a 179.45 team score, its highest of the season. The team also recorded season-best marks on both the balance beam and vault, reflecting continued growth and competitive consistency. 

Freshman Mya Caines remains the team's lone all-around competitor, having competed in that role in four of the team's six meets this season. Junior Jaidyn Bryant was able to step in to fill the line up for floor and vault for the first time this season. Meanwhile, junior Diamond Cook, the program's only All-American, continues to anchor the floor exercise with standout performances. Cook has scored 9.50 or higher in four meets this season, including a season-best 9.70 at Eastern Michigan earlier this month. Madison Kelly, also a very strong contender to the Wilberforce line up, was able to assist in the floor, beam, and bars line up, scoring WU's highest score on beam with a 9.5 (PR), and on floor with a 9.3. at BGSU this past weekend. 

Wilberforce gymnastics has rapidly built a reputation for breaking barriers and redefining what is possible for HBCU programs. In recent seasons, the Bulldogs have captured national attention by competing in Alaska, one of the most geographically and logistically challenging destinations in collegiate gymnastics; another milestone underscoring the program's ambition, resilience, and growing national footprint. 

As Wilberforce continues to elevate its gymnastics program through competition, partnerships, and historic firsts, Sunday's meet represents more than a contest, it is a celebration of progress, representation, and excellence on one of the most historic HBCU campuses in the nation. 

Wilberforce University continues to lead boldly, proving that history and high-level competition can, and do, meet at the center!