NATIONALS BOUND! Kyndra Hines Qualifies for 2026 Indoor Track & Field Championships in 60m Hurdles

WASHINGTON, D.C. – University of the District of Columbia sophomore standout Kyndra Hines has officially qualified for the 2026 NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championships in the 60-meter hurdles, becoming the first Firebird student-athlete to advance to nationals since 2014.

Hines secured her national berth with a blazing 8.52-second performance at the East Coast Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships. The time not only set a new ECC Championship record and UDC school record, but it also placed her among the top 18 hurdlers in Division II — the qualifying standard for the NCAA Championships. She enters the national meet ranked No. 14 in the country.

With her selection, Hines becomes the first student-athlete in UDC history to qualify for nationals in the 60-meter hurdles.

She is also the first Firebird to reach the NCAA Indoor Championships since 2014, when the 4x400-meter relay quartet of Kaydian Jones, Jerily Benjamin, Marlena Wright, and Simone Grant qualified for nationals. Grant now serves as Hines' coach, making this moment a full-circle milestone for the program.

Throughout the indoor season, Hines has consistently delivered record-breaking performances, establishing herself as one of the premier hurdlers in the East Coast Conference and nationally. Her 8.52 mark stands as one of the fastest times in Division II this year and represents a historic achievement for UDC track & field.

Hines' qualification signals a resurgence on the national stage for the Firebirds and continues to build momentum for a program rich in championship history.

Additional details regarding the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships, including location and competition schedule, will be announced as they become available.

The Firebirds are back at nationals.