Ivy Harrington, a former Morgan State women’s basketball standout, has added a new chapter to her multifaceted career, placing first runner-up at the national Miss USA competition after being crowned Miss New Jersey earlier this year.
Harrington, 31, described the experience as surreal. “It just feels like an out-of-body experience,” she told The Baltimore Sun. “Being a titleholder really does come naturally to me. I love to communicate and make people feel seen and heard.”
The Nebraska native and now New Jersey representative finished just behind Audry Eckhert of Nebraska at the nationally televised event, capping a whirlwind year of pageant success that began with her state-level victory in April.
Transitioning from athletics to pageantry is not as unusual for Harrington as it may seem. Former Morgan State coach Edward Davis Jr. noted, “I think she fulfilled all of her dreams in terms of her journey. She wanted to be that person in the spotlight in a positive way. Pageantry became that platform for her.”
Harrington credits her pageant inspiration to previous Miss USA winners from Historically Black Colleges and Universities, including Deshauna Barber and Kara McCullough. Observing their paths motivated her to explore opportunities that combine public speaking, media, and community engagement.
Looking forward, Harrington plans to focus on her workshop, Most Valuable Pivot, which supports female athletes in developing identities beyond sports. She also hopes to create a broader platform blending athletics, lifestyle, and pageantry, signaling her intention to eventually step back from pageant life.
“Being first runner-up is a nice way to go out,” Harrington said. “I’m proud to be one of three women from New Jersey to place that high.”
Her journey highlights the increasingly diverse pathways for athletes and women of color to leverage their talents and passions beyond traditional arenas, combining public service, advocacy, and personal ambition in unprecedented ways.
