North Carolina A&T’s Taylor twins are quickly turning the NCAA Track and Field Championships into a family affair.
Xzaviah Taylor looked in control early in the fifth heat Friday, appearing poised to secure a win. While he didn’t take the top spot, the Aggies standout still delivered when it mattered most, clocking 49.756 to finish seventh and advance to the East Regional quarterfinals.
It marked just the second time in his career he’s dipped under the 50-second barrier, reinforcing his consistency at an elite level.
But once again, it was his twin brother Isaiah who edged him at the line.
Running in the sixth heat, Isaiah Taylor continued his late-season surge with a breakout performance, placing third in 49.753—a personal record and his first time breaking 50 seconds.
The performance not only secured his place in the next round but also extended a recent trend: Isaiah has now finished ahead of Xzaviah in back-to-back races, including his victory at the CAA Outdoor Championships at Elon just two weeks ago.
What makes the moment even more compelling is the bounce-back factor. After a disappointing showing in the 110-meter hurdles earlier in the meet, Isaiah responded with one of the best races of his career, showing both resilience and momentum at the right time.
Survive and advance 🫱🏽🫲🏼 One step closer to Eugene as four of the Aggie men advance to Friday’s quarterfinals 😤#AggiePride 💙💛 pic.twitter.com/iJFaLFFICR
— N.C. A&T Athletics (@NCATAGGIES) May 28, 2026
Now, with both brothers advancing, the spotlight shifts to the quarterfinals, where the Taylor twins will once again share the track—this time with even higher stakes.
They’re scheduled to compete Friday at 7:25 p.m., each chasing a spot in the semifinals, adding an extra layer of intrigue to A&T’s postseason run.
For the Aggies, it’s a win-win. For the Taylors, it’s personal — in a good way.
