Texas Track & Field Shines Coast to Coast with Record-Breaking Weekend
From Boston to Fayetteville, the Texas Longhorns track & field team put together a weekend that was nothing short of electric. Whether it was rewriting the record books or climbing the NCAA leaderboards, the Horns made sure their presence was felt across multiple events and venues.
Let’s start with the headliner: Sophie Atkinson. Running at the David Hemery Invitational in Boston, Atkinson delivered a performance that will be remembered in Austin for a long time.
She clocked a 9:04.40 in the women’s 3,000 meters, breaking a Texas program record that had stood since 1987. That’s not just a record-it’s a 3.5-second leap over the previous mark set by Annie Schweitzer nearly four decades ago.
Atkinson’s time was good for fourth overall in a stacked field, and more importantly, it stamped her name into Texas history.
Elsewhere in Boston, Mackenzie Collins led the Longhorns in the 400 meters with a solid 54.84 for ninth place, while the 800 meters saw Isabel Conde de Frankenberg and Mia Perez both notch personal bests-2:10.69 and 2:11.37, respectively. It was a weekend of growth and momentum for the women’s mid-distance crew.
Now let’s head south to the Tyson Invitational in Fayetteville, where the Longhorns were just as dominant.
In the field events, Michael Pinones made a serious statement in the shot put. With a personal-best throw of 19.57m (64-2.5), he finished second overall and climbed to No. 8 on Texas’ all-time list. That’s a big-time throw in a big-time meet.
Kelsey Daniel brought the fireworks in the triple jump, soaring to 16.50m (54-1.75) to finish third. That mark not only moved him up to No. 5 all-time at Texas, but also slotted him at No. 4 in the NCAA this season. When you’re top five in school history and top five nationally, you’re doing something right.
The women’s 4x400-meter relay squad of Amelliah Birdow, Elise Cooper, Bayleigh Minor, and Anouk Krause-Jentsch clocked in at 3:28.97, good for third place and the 12th-fastest time in program history. That’s a quartet with chemistry and closing speed.
Cooper wasn’t done there-she also turned in a season-best 22.96 in the 200 meters to finish second. Right behind her, Carleta Bernard (23.22) placed fifth, with Jamiah Nabbie (23.45) in 11th.
Rejoice Sule and Abigail Wolfe each crossed the line in 23.58, with Wolfe setting a new personal best. That’s a deep sprint group showing off its range and depth.
In the pole vault, Sophia Kowalski cleared 4.00m (13-1.5) to place fifth, while Jeanne Le Goff hit 13.13m (43-1) in the triple jump for sixth. Giavonna Meeks rounded out the women’s field efforts with a 15.10m (49-6.5) shot put toss, placing 12th.
On the men’s side, Osawese Agbonkonkon had his best high jump of the season, clearing 2.11m (6-11.00) for fourth place. Brandon Gorski also competed well, tying for 10th at 2.06m (6-9.00).
In the men’s 200 meters, Kendrick Smallwood led the way with a season-best 20.92, followed closely by Jayden Jones (21.09) and Troy Mason (21.10), who finished 14th and 15th, respectively. That’s a trio that’s heating up at the right time.
The distance crew also had a strong showing. Joaquin De La Cruz ran a personal-best 4:07.69 in the mile to finish ninth, while Hudson Bennett wasn’t far behind at 4:08.97, good for 11th. On the women’s side, Aishling Callanan ran a season-best 4:51.74, and Natasja Beijen clocked a personal-best 4:57.66.
And finally, a nod to a pair of Longhorn legends. Stacey Ann Williams and Rhasidat Adeleke, both former Texas stars, went 1-2 in the women’s 300 meters.
Williams matched the facility record with a blazing 35.92, while Adeleke-representing Ireland-set a new national record at 36.30. That’s world-class speed from two athletes who continue to represent the burnt orange with pride.
From record-breaking runs to personal bests and NCAA top marks, this weekend was a showcase of just how deep and dangerous this Texas squad is. Indoors or out, the Longhorns are building something special-and they’re doing it one big performance at a time.