2025 TAAF Games of Texas to draw over 8,000 athletes to Bryan-College Station

By Chris Price
Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS (July 28, 2025) The 2025 Texas Amateur Athletic Federation (TAAF) Games of Texas, a premier Olympic-style event. The Games will bring more than 8,000 amateur athletes to Bryan and College Station from July 31 to August 3. Marking its eighth appearance in the Brazos Valley, the four-day festival will feature competitions in over a dozen sports, including swimming, track and field, boxing, tennis, esports, and ultimate frisbee, held at local venues such as Texas A&M’s E.B. Cushing Stadium, the Bryan Aquatic Center, and Wolf Pen Creek Amphitheater.
In 2019, the Games attracted 20,000 athletes, families, and volunteers, generating an estimated $8.1 million in economic impact, 
To manage the expected influx of visitors, several local facilities will close temporarily, including College Station’s parks, recreation centers, and pools from July 31 to August 3, and the Bryan Aquatic Center from July 28 to August 6. Authorities advise drivers to anticipate traffic delays near competition venues and encourage early arrivals and carpooling, with parking available at each site. The public is invited to attend the opening ceremonies on Friday, August 1, at Wolf Pen Creek Amphitheater.

Houston-area athletes capture medals at TAAF Games of Texas Track and Field Championships

Photo by 
Darla S Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS (August 2, 2021) The track and field competition at the Texas Amateur Athletic Federation (TAAF) Summer Games ofTexas was held at the Corpus Christi ISD Cabiness Stadium on July 29 to August 1, 2021. Despite the hot and humid weather which taxed all competitors, Houston area and Gulf Coast region runners, jumpers, and throwers shown their determining and grit; and return home with numerous medals. 

Many of those athletes had just come off their respective high school seasons, which ended in May and continued their training well into the summer to show off their talents at the 2021 Games of Texas.

In the 18 and under division, Beaumont Track Club took home the gold medal in the 4 x 100-meter relay. The foursome of Jayla Franklin, Keasia Hall, Brianna Howard, and Daja Maxey covered the one-lap distance with the time of 47.09 seconds, just a mere 28-hundreths of a second off the meet record of :46.81 set in 2009 by Dallas Speed by Choice.

Beaumont also captured the silver medal in the girls 18 and under 4 x 400-meter relay with Hall, Franklin, Sanaria Butler, and Ashlynn Lane combining for the time of 4:09.58. Franklin also took home an individual gold medal in the girls 18 and under 200-meter dash with the time of 24.77 seconds. Butler added a silver medal to her haul in the 18 and under 400-meter dash (:57.08). In the long jump, Jamyia Wilson captured the silver medal in the 16 and under long jump (4.77m/15 feet, 8 inches).

Photo by 
Kristine Kelly
TexSport Publications
Copyright 2021, All Rights Reserved

The boys 16 and under 110-meter hurdles saw John Sanderson in second place (15.22 seconds). Houston's Monte Bell won gold in the boys 18 and under 800-meter run (2:05.27), with Sonaia Johnson, also from Houston, captuing bronze in the 18 and under girls 800-meters (2:32.69), Fellow Houstonian Aleia Johnson finished third in the 16 and under girls 800-meter run (2:43.95).

Wharton County's Jacorric Allen also won gold, in the 16 and under boys 400-meter dash (49.98 seconds).

Houston’s Donna Bryant, who was attending the Games to watch her granddaughter compete, stated:

“It was a great meet and I was very happy to see my grandbaby run. Even though it is very hot, and I am proud grandma.”

The Games of Texas will return to the Corpus Christi in July-August, 2022. A photo slideshow from the track and field competitionm by TexSport Publications' senior photographer Darla Tamulitis can be viewed by clicking here.

HBU's Christopher Welch named to All-America Team

Photo courtesy of HBU Athletic Media Relations Department

By Jennifer Edwards

Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (June 27, 2020) A shortened indoor track season could not stop Dickinson native, Christopher Welch (shown right) from excelling in the  triple jump. Welch set an Houston Baptist University record by jumping 15.64 meters or 51 feet and 3.75 inches at the Texas A&M Invitational. He continued his winning ways by completing a 15.94 meter jump. In total, Welch has broken the school record seven times. 

This sophomore standout is used to the spotlight and incredibly humble when it comes to his talent. Welch stood out on the Dickinson Gator football team as an all-district kicker and wide receiver. Once football season was over, his focus turned quickly to track and field where he excelled. In addition to the accolades he has already racked up, Christopher received the NCAA All-American in the triple jump, as well as a silver medal in Southland Conference Indoor Championships and became the first HBU indoor championship qualifier. 

Welch is incredibly humble when it comes to where he gets his talent from. He says, “When I got the confirmation that I was an All-American I was very thankful, because I’ve always known that it was going to happen and it was what I prayed for when I first got to college.” Welch hopes to continue his winning ways at HBU in the future when the university is able to safely bring athletes back. He also says,” Just knowing that God’s promise to me was fulfilled it gave me the motivation, so that next year I would not only be an All-American, but also become a National Champion.” This young man will be one to watch in the future

Three Aggie victories highlight first day of Texas A&M Invitational

Photo courtesy of
Russell James and
Texas A&M UniveristyAthletics Communications

COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS (April 12, 2019) A trio of Aggie victories highlighted Friday’s portion of the Texas A&M Invitational among eight field events contested at E.B. Cushing Stadium. Tyra Gittens (shown right) claimed the long jump, Maddy Stulce won the women’s javelin and Sam Hardin bettered the field in the men’s javelin.

Through four field events for the women the Aggies scored 48 points, which places them ahead of Houston (31), UTSA (20), Arizona State (18) and Sam Houston (14.5). The A&M men, through four field events, have scored 42 points to lead Houston (26), Sam Houston (20), UTSA (14) and Rice (12).

Action in the Texas A&M Invitational continues on Saturday with field events starting at 3 p.m. while running events begin at 5:30 following an Aggie ring presentation at 5:15 p.m.

Gittens won the long jump with a leap of 20-9 (6.32) in the fifth round. She trailed the leading mark of 20-7 ¼ (6.28w) set by Houston’s Samiyah Samuels in the opening stanza. Gittens came within a quarter inch of the leading mark with a 20-7 (6.27) in the fourth round and then moved into the lead on her next attempt.

“After the first three jumps I was warm and excited,” noted Gittens. “In the final three rounds I was ready to bring it. I’m happy to start off my season in the long jump like this, which is better than I thought I would do today.”

Aggie teammates LaJarvia Brown and Virginia Kerley produced their career best marks in placing third and fourth. Brown had a windy 20-5 (6.22) in the final round, but also registered a wind-legal career best of 20-3 (6.17). Kerley improved upon her high school best of 19-7 ½ with a career best jump of 19-10 ¾ (6.06) in the third round and then had a barely windy best of 20-2 ¼ (6.15) in the fifth stanza. Taryn Milton finished eighth with a windy 19-3 ½ (5.88).

“I definitely feed off my teammates,” added Gittens. “It’s good when you are performing well, but it’s even better when your teammates are doing good also.”

Maddy Stulce won the javelin on her first round throw of 166-9 (50.84), and then improved to 173-2 (52.78) in the final round to secure a second consecutive victory at Cushing Stadium. Runner-up to Stulce was a 165-6 (50.44) by UTEP’s Roosa Yloenen.

Celine Markert placed third in the javelin as she had another improvement in an event she just started this outdoor season. Coming into the meet with a best of 154-9 (47.18) from The Reveille last week, Markert bettered it in round three with a 158-4 (48.26) toss. Then she produced another five-foot improvement with a throw of 163-9 (49.91).

Aggies also placed fourth and fifth in the javelin with Jenna Ellis (146-5) and Natalie Scheifele (141-3).

Hardin led a 1-2-4 A&M finish in the men’s javelin as his opening throw of 236-10 (72.20) locked up his second victory at Cushing Stadium. Nick Mirabelli followed with a 220-6 (67.21) from the second round while William Petersson finished fourth with a mark of 204-2 (62.23). Rice’s Dane Stolsig placed third at 204-8 (62.39).

A runner-up finish in the high jump by Mason Farley produced a clearance of 6-10 ¼ (2.09), which was just a quarter of an inch off his career best. Three attempts at 6-11 ½ (2.12) followed, but Farley and winner Elijah Hughes of Arizona State missed all three attempts. Alstian Walker made it over 6-8 ¼ (2.04) to place fourth while Jake Lamberth (6-6 ¼) and Mason Corbin (6-4 ¼) were eighth and ninth.

Robin Nool, who will compete in the pole vault on Saturday, had a windy 23-8 (7.21) to finish fourth in the men’s long jump.

Markert started the afternoon off with a throw of 167-11 (51.19) to place seventh in the women’s hammer. KJ Grimes placed ninth in the men’s hammer with a career best throw of 173-11 (53.03) as he remained in the No. 7 position on the A&M all-time list. Hunter Madore placed 14^th with a toss of 150-10 (45.98).

Carlton Orange becomes 10th fastest collegian at 600m in Aggie Triangular

Photo courtsey of Errol Anderson

COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS (January 19,2019) Texas A&M junior Carlton Orange (No. 4, Shown right) produced a school record in the 600 meters as his runner-up time of 1:16.51 makes him the No. 10 performer on the all-time indoor collegiate list.

The Aggies swept the team titles in the Texas A&M Triangular they hosted in front of 1,128 fans on Saturday inside Gilliam Indoor Track Stadium. The Aggie men, who improved to 20-0 in dual scored indoor meets, totaled 120 points to better UTEP (72) and TCU (51), while the A&M women, who are 17-3, tallied 117 points in defeating TCU (68) and UTEP (52).

“These kinds of competitions are really difficult for young people,” said Texas A&M head coach Pat Henry. “Because a majority of them have never had a dual meet or triangular, even through high school. So, they think a small meet is not something they can’t progress in. I saw some good things happen today, but I also saw some things in people who were not motivated enough to do the competition. We need to continue to learn.”

Aggie alum Donavan Brazier opened his season by winning the 600m race in a world and U.S. leading time of 1:15.46, which moves him to No. 5 performer with the No. 7 performance on the American all-time indoor list as well as the No. 10 performer with the No. 12 performance on the all-time world list.

Deon Lendore, the 2014 Bowerman winner for Texas A&M, placed third in the race with a 1:16.90, the second fastest time by a sprinter from Trinidad & Tobago, while current Aggie JaQwae Ellison finished fourth in 1:19.01.

“It’s always great getting to race against national champions and Olympians,” stated Orange of the field he faced in the 600. “I like how they pushed me and I was able to push them during the race. I’ve never run the open 600 competitively, but today is a good indicator of where I am with my shape and what I can do next at 800m.”

With Texas A&M having only run 600 yard races since opening Gilliam due to it being an event at the Big 12 Indoor Championships, there was no listed school record for the Aggies in the 600m. However, Brazier had a split of 1:17.88 at 600m when he won the SEC Indoor 800m title at Arkansas in 2016.

Brazier’s 200m splits in this race were 24.65, 25.65 (50.30), and 25.17 while Orange went 24.50, 26.09 (50.59) and 25.93. Lendore led the crew through 200m at 24.30, then continued with a 26.45 (50.75) and 26.16.

“They pushed me to my max,” noted Orange. “Although I felt I could have run a little faster, I really had a good effort today. I always like racing Donavan, since I know he is in great shape and will be good competition. When he went around 350 to 400m, it kind of surprised me a little bit. I didn’t expect him to go that hard. So, I tried to match it a little bit. I wasn’t quite there but we’re getting there though.”

Henry added: “Carlton is a talent. He was with us last year, but couldn’t compete since he was a transfer. He is a guy who will run a good 800 and I think he will be involved with our 4x400 as well.”

The Aggie men produced 10 victories on the day as Gabe Oladipo continued to display his proficiency in the weight throw with a winning toss of 64-8 ½ (19.72), improving his No. 3 performer status on the A&M all-time list. Teammate Josh Brown moved to No. 7 performer in the weight throw with a mark of 59-5 (18.11) that placed him third.

“The whole process has been great and I’ve been having a lot of fun with learning a new event,” said Oladipo. “That’s kind of an underrated aspect of training. You have to have fun with it and I’ve been enjoying the weight throw. Everything is coming together.

“Learning the weight throw has taught me numerous things that will help me in the shot and discus. The core strength, the coordination and footwork all play a part in any of the throwing events I compete in. Throwing the weight will help me progress in the other throws as well.”

Eight victories highlighted the women’s winning effort as the Aggies had double victories from Celine Markert and LaJarvia Brown while Syaira Richardson breezed to a 53.18 win in the 400, moving to No. 8 on the A&M all-time list.

Markert won the shot put and weight throw with marks of 45-5 ½ (13.85) and 53-3 ¾ (16.25), respectively, while Brown claimed the high jump at 5-8 ¾ (1.75) and long jump with a leap of 18-11 ¾ (5.78).

Devin Dixon powered to a 46.95 victory in the 400 over teammate Ilolo Izu’s 47.05 along with TCU’s Blake Hennesay (47.46) and UTEP’s Sean Bailey (47.61). Dixon improved his previous indoor best of 47.74.

In the mile, Jon Bishop led an A&M 1-2-3 finish with a 4:10.54 as Wes McPhail (4:13.48) and Zephyr Seagraves (4:15.53) followed.

Other wins for the men included Tyler Guillory in the 60m hurdles (8.02), Jacob Wooten in the pole vault (17-7), David Torkington in the 800 (1:56.47), CJ Stevenson in the triple jump (47-11 ¾) and Jake Lamberth in the high jump (6-8 ¾).

Additional victories for the women included Ashton Hutcherson in the mile (4:59.52) and Diamond Spaulding in the 200 (23.61).

Nikki Keys also went under five minutes in the mile as runner-up to Hutcherson with a 4:59.66. In the 200, racing in a different section than Spaulding, Tierra Robinson-Jones and Julia Madubuike placed second and third with identical times of 23.67. They were separated by 0.003 of a second with the edge going to Robinson-Jones.

In sweeping the 4x400 relays, a winning time of 3:07.33 gave the A&M men an edge over TCU (3:07.78). The Aggie foursome included Bryce Deadmon (46.37), Ilolo Izu (47.51), Kyree Johnson (47.44) and Dixon (46.01). The anchor leg by Dixon was essential in holding off the 45.74 split by TCU’s anchor Derrick Mokaleng.

The women posted a winning time of 3:38.08 while another Aggie squad finished second in 3:39.78. Racing on the winning crew were Robinson-Jones (54.18), Richardson (54.34), Fray (55.00) and Madubuike (54.56).

Kelsie Warren moved to No. 10 on the Aggie all-time list in the 3,000m with a runner-up time of 9:42.29 as Ashley Driscoll placed third in 9:43.30. TCU’s Evelyn Mandel won the race in 9:41.23.

A close finish in the 60m hurdles had Taryn Milton (8.58) and Kennedy Smith (8.59) trailing UTEP’s Kimisha Chambers (8.53).

Texas A&M travels for the first time this season with a trip to Lubbock next week for the Texas Tech Classic on January 25-26.

Texas A&M Triangular has Aggies hosting TCU and UTEP on Saturday

COLLEGE STATION (JANUARY17, 2019) Saturday’s Texas A&M Triangular will have the Aggies hosting TCU and UTEP in a dual scored meet at Gilliam Indoor Track Stadium. Field events begin at 1:15 p.m., with running events starting at 1:30 p.m. and the meet will conclude by 4 p.m.

Team scoring in the triangular will have only two athletes per school scoring in individual events, based on scoring system of 7-5-4-3-2-1 points for the top six places, while relays will be scored 7-5-4 with only one relay per team scoring.

“We have TCU and UTEP in this weekend for a triangular meet and it will be a two and a half hour track meet,” noted Texas A&M head coach Pat Henry. “It’s a good field and we will have some great events.

“I was pleased with how the team performed and reacted to the competition last weekend. We had some really good performances and we also have some people trying to figure out what they need to do to get better.”

Since opening the venue in 2009 Texas A&M has hosted a dual, triangular or quadrangular meet on this weekend except for 2017 when they held a seven-team invitational. The Aggie men are undefeated in dual meet scored events they have hosted indoors, compiling a record of 17-0. The A&M women have compiled a record of 14-3 over that time frame.

A key match-up will occur in the men’s 400m with Devin Dixon racing at that distance for the first time this season against Sean Bailey of UTEP. Dixon, a three-time SEC champion at 800m, posted career best times of 45.22 outdoors and 47.74 indoors at 400m in 2018 while also supplying the Aggies with 43-second split on the anchor leg of the 4x400 relay during the NCAA Outdoor Championships.

“Running this 400m will be a very good start for the indoor season,” stated Dixon, who has run on a pair of 4x400 relays in two previous indoor meets. “I’m really looking forward to this 400 to see where I’m at right now at this point of the season. Last year showed me what I was able to accomplish and what I’m capable of doing. Now I want to carry over that experience to this season.”

Baily is a Jamaican sprinter who ran career best times of 46.08 indoors and 45.24 outdoors in 2018 while competing at Western Texas junior college, where he swept the 400m indoor and outdoor titles in the NJCAA Championships.

A 600m race will feature a pair of current Aggies – Carlton Orange and JaQwae Ellison – racing against a field of A&M alums that includes 2014 Bowerman winner Deon Lendore, 2016 NCAA 800m champion Donavan Brazier and Bralon Taplin, a 2016 Olympic 400m finalist and World Indoor fourth-place finisher.

“I’m going to try to run a fast pace and see what I can do as I prepare for my first 800m the following weekend,” said Orange. “This will be different than racing at 1,000m or an 800m since we start faster than normal. I’ll focus on staying relaxed while running fast.

“When I run the 400m I tend to get out slow since I’m an 800m runner, but the 600m should offer a nice balance since I can get out and it won’t be as slow. The 600m should be a good race for me.”

In the women’s 400m, the Aggie tandem of Syiara Richardson and Jarra Owens square off against the TCU duo of Lily Beckford and Kayla Heard. In the shorter sprints, the A&M crew of Brenessa Thompson and Amber Ivy will race in the 60. Ivy will also compete in the 200 with teammates Diamond Spaulding, Julia Madubuike and Tierra Robinson-Jones.

After opening with a long jump victory last weekend, Tahar Triki will contest the long jump and triple jump in the Triangular for the Aggies. Triki set an indoor best of 51-11 (15.82) last season competing unattached and outdoors established a personal best of 55-5 ¾ (16.91) in winning the SEC title.

The meet record in the triple jump still stands from the 2009 opening season of Gilliam with a mark of 53-3 (16.23) by A&M’s Zuheir Sharif.

After setting a meet record a week ago with his 18-3 ¾ pole vault, Jacob Wooten enters this weekend as the meet record holder from his winning effort of 18-1 ¼ last season.

National, local athletes shine at 67th TSU Relays

Story and Photos by Kristina McKay and Tommy Boatman
Copyright 2018 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (March 27, 2018) Texas Southern University hosted its 67^th annual TSU Relays on Friday and Saturday March 17-18 where students from all over the country came to test their endurance and skill. Middle school, high school and college men and women competed in pole vault, long jump, and javelin events as well as track races including races with and without hurdles, timed heats and team relay races.

The first afternoon’s quick downpours brought a need for a rotating schedule however the lightning less rain soon passed on, leaving the Houston humidity to heat up the Alexander Durley Stadium where the games took place. The turf where the Athletes converged was about ten degrees hotter than the temperature read so the athletes were huddled up anywhere there was a slice of shade especially on day 2 when the bulk of the games took place and the crowds filled the standing room only stadium.

The US Coast Guard sponsored the incredible games that welcomed athletes who not only were competing for trophies but to break records. Many did just that including Chris Carter who competed in the triple jump coming in 4^th in the country and who left ranking 2^nd in the nation with a personal best of 17.18m and TSU’s own relay team who ran the 4x400 meter relay to earn the 10^th spot in the nation with a time of 3 minutes 10.4 seconds. Texas A&M took first place nationally in the 4x200 meter relay, but Wiley College was nipping at their heals, behind them by 3/10s of a second. With two other record breaking athletes in other track events, it was a great showing by Wiley.

The two days of events, food and fun was a huge success for the athletes who competed, graduating seniors who were honored alongside the generous sponsors, and Texas Southern University who were proud to host the games for the 67^th year and who look forward to next year.

Sammy Watson breaks Texas A&M 1,000m school record in debut race

Photo by Errol Anderson
Used with Permission

COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS (December 9, 2017)) In her debut race for the Aggies, freshman Sammy Watson broke the Texas A&M school record in the 1,000 meters and defeated the previous record holder in the process during the Reveille Invitational at Gilliam Indoor.

“It was a great performance by Sammy,” noted Texas A&M head coach Pat Henry. “She looked good and was pushed for part of the race, but has a lot more in the tank.

“This track meet used to be a good workout to wrap up fall training. That’s what we had it for, just to get the cobwebs out. All of a sudden it has turned into a pretty serious track meet. This meet allows us to find out what our fall training has done for us. That’s the value of having this meet.”

The highlight on the men’s side was a performance by Donavan Brazier, a former NCAA 800m for the Aggies, as he won the mile in 3:59.30 to become the 493^rd American to produce a sub-four-minute mile. An hour and a half later, Brazier supplied an unattached 4x400 relay with a 46.00 split on the third leg.

“Donavan is just a big time athlete,” said Henry. “After his mile, he comes back on a 4x400 relay and splits 46 flat. He lined up and did a really great job today.”

Watson’s time of 2:42.12 ranks No. 7 on the collegiate indoor all-time list. Her personal best in the event, a 2:40.72 from March of last year as a senior in high school, is better than the current collegiate record of 2:40.79 set by Oklahoma State’s Kaela Edwards in 2017.

“I’m very happy, but not complacent where I’m at right now,” stated Watson. “We’ve been training hard all fall, so I know the hard work is paying off from my results today. Knowing that I didn’t get down to this time until last March, and it’s only December, it shows that I’m a lot stronger than I was last year and I’m capable of so much more this season. It’s exciting and I know big things are coming this season.”

Splits for Watson included 30.33, 32.51 (1:02.83), 33.72 (1:36.54), 33.12 (2:09.66), 32.46. Her split at 800m, a 2:09.66, places her No. 7 performer on the Aggie all-time list. Watson moved into the lead at 600m and cruised to the finish.

Aggie junior Jazmine Fray, who set the school record of 2:43.15 a year ago in this meet along with facility and meet records, finished second to Watson in 2:45.81, which is the No. 3 performance on the Aggie all-time list. Fray split 1:36.67 at 600m and 2:09.93 at 800m, just a stride behind Watson.

Placing third and fourth in the race were Aggies Brittany Parker (2:51.22) and Jean Jenkins (2:54.24), who became the No. 4 and No. 9 performers on the Texas A&M all-time list.

Finishing behind Brazier in the men’s mile was 2012 Olympic 1,500m silver medalist Leo Manzano (4:03.49) and Aggie Alex Riba (4:04.15). The performance by Riba, who has an indoor best of 4:03.29, ranks as the No. 7 performance on the school’s all-time list.

Another Texas A&M freshman with an impressive debut was Tyra Gittens, who claimed the high jump at 5-10 ¾ (1.79) and also won the 60m hurdles in 8.51. Her high jump effort ranks No. 10 on the school’s all-time list.

In the men’s 4x400, the Aggie men clocked 3:07.03 with the foursome of Ilolo Izu (46.99), Robert Grant (46.65), Mylik Kerley (46.20), and Richard Rose (47.19). They bettered an unattached crew that posted a 3:07.80 with a line-up of Jackson Davis, Bralon Taplin (45.00), Brazier (46.00), and Carlton Orange (47.52).

In the women’s 4x400 relay, the Texas A&M crew of Jaevin Reed (53.38), Glorilisha Carter (55.20), Watson (55.41), and Brenessa Thompson (55.71) won in 3:39.70 over a second Aggie squad that ran 3:39.97 with a foursome of Amber Ivy (55.22), Fray (55.59), Danyel White (53.68) and Jarra Owens (55.48).

An unattached relay squad of Kanika Beckles (55.38), Phyllis Francis (53.18), Kamaria Brown (58.96 [dropped baton]), and Shamier Little (55.00) clocked 3:42.52 for third place.

Winning performances for Texas A&M included Garrett Cragin (6-11 ½ | 2.12) in the men’s high jump, Valerie Bradley (5:03.79) in the women’s mile, Austin Cook (64-7 ¾ | 19.70) in the weight throw, Celine Markert (47-1 ½ | 14.36) in the shot put, Amber Ivy (23.98) in the women’s 200m, as well as Jacob Wooten (17-6 ½ | 5.35) and Sara Kathryn Stevens (12-8 ½ | 3.87) in their respective pole vault competitions.

UConn's Thompson wins men's hammer at The American championships

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2017 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (May 12, 2017) Connecticut freshmen Cameron Thompson connected for a throw of 60.23 meters (197 feet, 7 inches) to win his first-ever conference title in the hammer throw at the American Athletic Conference Track and Field Championships at the Tom Tellez Track on the campus of the University of Houston. In the first day of competition (May 12, 2017), his winning throw can on his third attempt, but unfortunately, was shorter than his conference-leading mark of 60.67 meters (199 feet, 0 inches). Thompson was followed in the standings by fellow freshmen Aleks Rapp in second place with a throw of 59.0 meters (193 feet, 10 inches) and the third-place performance of Houston senior Damon Thompson (58.71 meters; 192 feet, 7 inches).

The East Carolina Pirates picked up fourth and fifth place with the efforts of Adam Manns (57.81 meters; 189 feet, 8 inches) and Ryan Davis (55.87 meters; 83 feet 4 inches). South Florida placed sixth and seventh, with East Carolina scoring the eight place points. In running action, UConn’s Emily Durgon took top honors in the women’s 10,000-meter run. The senior broke her own meet record with the time of 34:28.06. The previous record of 34:30.49 was set at the conference meet in 2015. UCF’s Anne-Marie Blaney took the silver medal (34:31.42) while SMU’s Hannah Miller snagged the bronze (34:47.28). In the men’s 10,000 meter run, Tulsa went 1-2 with Henry Pearce taking the gold and Adam Roderique the silver. East Carolina’s Jorge Montes grabbed the bronze.

The championships continue on Saturday with field events at 3 p.m. and running events at 5:30 p.m.

Cincinnati's Annette Echikumwoke wins hammer throw at AAC Championships

Photo by Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2017, All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2017 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (May 12, 2017) Cincinnati’s Annette Echikumwoke completed only two legal throws, but her second throw of 60.97 meters (200 feet 0 inches) in the women’s hammer was good enough to win the first event of the 2017 American Athletic Conference Championships on Friday, May 12, 2017. The competition is being held on the Tom Tellez Track on the campus of the University of Houston will run through Sunday, May 14. Her winning thrown was short of her season best of 63.91 meters (208 feet, 8 inches) from April 15 of this year and broke her own meet record established at last year’s championships.

In second place was UCF’s Chelsea Gobourne with a throw of 59.45 meters (195 feet, 0 inches). Two Houston Cougar sophomores followed in the standings, with Mikaila Martin earning her place on the victory platform with a throw of 59.44 meters (195 feet, 0 inches). Teammate Taylor Scaife placed fourth at 59.10 meters (193 feet, 11 inches). Connecticut picked up fifth place points, followed by UCF in sixth, South Florida in seventh, and East Carolina in eighth. With their third and fourth place finish, Houston is tied with UCF for the lead in the team standing with 11 points. The finals in the men’s hammer, along with the women’s and men’s 10,000-meters will also be contested on Friday evening.

UConn's Thompson takes men's hammer at The American Championships

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2017 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (May 12, 2017) Connecticut freshmen Cameron Thompson connected for a throw of 60.23 meters (197 feet, 7 inches) to win his first-ever conference title in the hammer throw at the American Athletic Conference Track and Field Championships at the Tom Tellez Track on the campus of the University of Houston. In the first day of competition (May 12, 2017), his winning throw can on his third attempt, but unfortunately, was shorter than his conference-leading mark of 60.67 meters (199 feet, 0 inches). Thompson was followed in the standings by fellow freshmen Aleks Rapp in second place with a throw of 59.0 meters (193 feet, 10 inches) and the third-place performance of Houston senior Damon Thompson (58.71 meters; 192 feet, 7 inches).

The East Carolina Pirates picked up fourth and fifth place with the efforts of Adam Manns (57.81 meters; 189 feet, 8 inches) and Ryan Davis (55.87 meters; 83 feet 4 inches). South Florida placed sixth and seventh, with East Carolina scoring the eight place points. In running action, UConn’s Emily Durgon took top honors in the women’s 10,000-meter run. The senior broke her own meet record with the time of 34:28.06. The previous record of 34:30.49 was set at the conference meet in 2015. UCF’s Anne-Marie Blaney took the silver medal (34:31.42) while SMU’s Hannah Miller snagged the bronze (34:47.28). In the men’s 10,000 meter run, Tulsa went 1-2 with Henry Pearce taking the gold and Adam Roderique the silver. East Carolina’s Jorge Montes grabbed the bronze.

The championships continue on Saturday with field events at 3 p.m. and running events at 5:30 p.m.

Burrell, Collins complete 100 meters preliminaries at U.S. Olympic Trials

Cameron Burrell
Photo courtesy of
University of Houston
Athletic Communications

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2016 TexSport Publications

EUGENE, OREGON (July 2, 2016) University of Houston sprinters Cameron Burrell and LaShon Collins competed in the preliminary heats of the 100 meters at the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials on Saturday, July 2, 2016. 

Burrell, running in lane four of the third heat, posted the time of 10.18 seconds, finishing in sixth place in the heat. Collins, competing in lane 

LaShon Collins
Photo  courtesy of
University of Houston
Athletic Communications

four of the third heat, run 10.41 to also finish sixth. The top three finishers in each of the five heats advanced to the semi-finals along with the enxt six fastest competitors. Collins and Burrell finished in 25th and 31st place, respectively in the event, failing to make the semifinals. 

Houston Cougar alumni Chris Carter is scheduled to compete in the triple jump on Thursday, July 7 while Collins will return to the track for the 200 meters on the same day. Isaac Williams will compete in the 110-meter hurdles on Friday, July 9. The Trials continue through Sunday, July 10.

Three Houston Cougars to compete at U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2016 TexSport Publications

EUGENE, OREGON (July 1, 2016) The Houston Cougars will continue the tradition of having a presence at the United States Track and Field Olympic Trials being held in Eugene, Oregon beginning on Saturday, July 1, 2016. Three current athletes and one alumni will converge at Hayward Field with the goal of making the Olympic team and competing in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil at the Games of the 23^rd Olympiad. Lettermen Cameron Burrell, Issac Williams, and LeShon Collins, along with alumnus Chris Carter, will carry the banner of the Houston Cougars during the 10-day event.

Cameron Burrell

Photo courtesy of University of Houston

Athletics Communications. 

Burrell, who is the son of Houston head coach Leroy Burrell, will compete in the 100-meter dash. He is seed 32^nd in the event with the time of 10.16 seconds. The top seed is Justin Gatlin with the time of 9.77. Gatlin, who runs for Nike, is the 2004 Olympic gold medalist in the event. He earned a bronze medal in the same event in the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

LeShon Collins

Photo courtesy of University of Houston

Athletics Communications. 

Collins will also be competing in the 100-meters, in which he is the 31^st seed with the time of 10.15. In addition, he will run the 200-meters. In the longer event, he is seeded 32^nd with the time of 20.43. Gatlin is also the top seed in the 200-meters with the time of 19.74.

Isaac Williams

Photo courtesy of University of Houston

Athletics Communications. 

The 110-meter hurdles will be the lone event for Williams. His time of 13.43 seeds him 11^th in the heats with Adidas’ Aleec Harris holding the top time of 13.11. Carter, who will compete in the triple jump, has the fifth longer lead of all qualifiers with the distance of 17.12 meters (56 feet, 2 inches). The top triple jumper is Nike’s Christian Taylor at 17.76 meters (58 feet 3 inches). 

HBU Track and Field Adds Eight More for 2017

One of the signees, Samara Hodges, is third in the nation and tied for the state lead in the high jump

From HBU Department of Athletic Media Relations Press Release

HOUSTON, TEXAS (April 24, 2016)  HBU head track and field coach Theresa Fuqua and her staff have announced eight more student-athletes, including one in the top three in the nation in the high jump, to National Letters of Intent to compete for the Huskies in 2017.

Samara Hodges comes from Mayde Creek High School in Katy, Texas. She is currently tied in the state lead in the high jump with a leap of 5’10”. Hodges’ mark also has her tied for third in the United States amongst high school girls. This season she has won seven of her eight high jump competitions.

Tatyana Jones is a hurdler from Centennial High School in Boise, Idaho. She was the 2015 Idaho state champion in the 300 hurdles with a time of 43.71.

Brandy Thomas competes in sprints at Lamar High School in Houston. Thomas’ specialty will be the 400 meters. She has a PR of 57.20 and is the 2016 District 20-6A Champion.

Sarah Tabor is a distance runner from Needville High School who will specialize in cross country and the longer distances on the track. Tabor finished fourth at the 2014 4A UIL State Cross Country Championships.

Imani Jacquet is a thrower from Goose Creek Memorial High School in Baytown, Texas. She is the 2016 District 22-5A Champion in the Shot Put and Discus. Jacquet has a shot put PR of 39-6.5 and is currently ranked 16 in Texas in the 5A division.

Chantel Ward is another thrower from West Columbia High School. She will specialize in all throwing events and is currently ranked eighth in the state of Texas in the 4A division.

Fuqua and her staff have signed two men who will specialize in jumps in Dominic Swoopes and Shemar Smith.

Dominic Swoopes will compete in hurdles and jumps and comes from Kingwood High School. He has PRs of 14.87 in the 110 Hurdles, 38.29 in the 300 Hurdles and 22-0.5 in the Long Jump. Dominic was the lead leg for Kingwood at the 2015 State Championships that won with a time of 3:12.44.

Shemar Smith competes in sprints and jumps at Whitehouse High School. He has PRs of 10.44 in the 100, 21.84 in the 200 and 22-5 in the Long Jump. Smith is the 2016 District 16-5A Champion in the 100 meters and his 10.44 mark puts him as the Texas leader in the 5A division.

2017 signees
Faith Crayton – distance – Tomball, Texas (Klein Oak)
Miracle Crayton – distance – Tomball, Texas (Klein Oak)
Ashlyn Dobson – hurdles – Baytown, Texas (Barbers Hill)
Samara Hodges – jumps – Katy, Texas (Mayde Creek)

Imani Jacquet – throws – Baytown, Texas (Goose Creek Memorial)
Tatyana Jones – hurdles – Boise, Idaho (Centennial)
Shemar Smith – sprints/jumps – Whitehouse, Texas (Whitehouse)
Dominic Swoopes – hurdles/jumps – Kingwood, Texas (Kingwood)
Sarah Tabor – distance – Needville, Texas (Needville)
Brandy Thomas – sprints – Houston, Texas (Lamar)

Chantel Ward – throws – West Columbia, Texas (West Columbia)