The University of the Virgin Islands Lady Buccaneers enter the track and field season with a small roster but a clear sense of what they want to be. The 2026 Lady Buccaneers roster includes athletes with running experience, but the group remains relatively new to the collegiate level. The focus early in the season will be on development, versatility, and finding where this year’s three-athlete squad can make its biggest impact.
UVI’s women’s side features senior Aisha Sabur, sophomore Londyn Hall, and true freshman Pilar Swinson. Hall is expected to set the pace for the Lady Buccaneers and arrives as a runner the program believes can pose a real challenge to opponents across the season. Sabur returns as an established member of the team, while Swinson gives UVI a new dimension as the first athlete in program history to compete in the hurdles, a notable step for a roster still building its event range.
Sabur’s shift may be one of the most important storylines of the season. After competing in the 100 and 200 during the 2023-24 season, she has turned her focus exclusively to the long jump. That move gives the Buccaneers a veteran presence in the field events and could help define the team’s identity as it searches for points in multiple areas rather than relying only on sprint races.
Head Coach Dale Joseph expressed satisfaction with the progress of the women’s program, stating, “I am pleased with the direction we have taken in developing the women’s program. Over the years, the team has expanded its participation to include events such as the shot put and javelin. This season, we are further broadening our scope by introducing hurdles and reintroducing the long jump, an event in which we have not recently fielded a competitor.”
The season will begin on March 28 at the Nova Southeastern University Shark Invitational in Fort Lauderdale, providing UVI with its initial challenge against regional South Florida programs. Following this, the Buccaneers will compete at the Embry-Riddle Running Elements Classic in Daytona Beach from April 2-4, a meet that has become annual in the Buccaneers’ schedule. These initial competitions will be crucial in assessing how quickly the Lady Buccaneer newcomers adapt to collegiate competition and evaluating the team’s standing as they approach the core of the season.
The season will close at the 2026 HBCUAC Track and Field Championship, where UVI will face off with their conference rivals. The Buccaneers are slated to compete at the Championships from April 30-May 2 in Shreveport, Louisiana. For this developing squad, the early meets in Florida are essential for establishing form, but the primary objective is to peak by championship time. At that point, Hall’s potential, Sabur’s transition to the long jump, and Swinson’s debut in the hurdles will provide the program with a comprehensive assessment of its competitive standing.
