One of the main topics surrounding Houston starts with the weather. For the last couple of months, the weather pattern has shown all seasons.
Overcast skies covered the 68th Annual US Coast Guard Texas Southern Relays on the final day at Alexander Durley Stadium on Saturday.
The conditions had no bearing on the early spring, competitive outdoor track and field meet. Runners had no complaints about the temperature, holding steady at 61degrees.
The yearly event kicked off the outdoor season with a bang. Many athletes posted low times and season lows. Majority of the times clocked on the day, are what you would expect to see by midseason.
For several, the TSU Relays serves as a warm welcome to the outdoor season. Also, it gives competitors an opportunity to improve from its offseason workouts and a chance to explore its weaknesses.
Texas Southern Lady’s and Men track and field team found success in its backyard. With traveling aside, that left one less problem to be concerned with. In nearly all of its running events, the Tigers placed first through fifth to enjoy a successful evening at home. The Tigers were not alone in its quest, as three other Houston locals got in on the act which included the Houston Cougars, Houston Baptist, and Houston-Tillotson.
Texas Southern men, competing in section 2 of the University level took Bronze in the 4X100 Meter Relay. Kenneth White tied Jackson State’s DeAndre McGriggs while edging out Jarvis Christian freshman Derrick Brooks with a time of (48.26) opposing a (48.36). White was awarded second place, though his clocking was identical to McGriggs. Bronshaye Bolden of Texas Southern finished fifth (49.16). Hurdler Mykele Young Sanders finished fourth behind three Jackson State competitors in the 110 Hurdles (15.03). Tigers freshman Javan Martin placed fourth in the 100 Meter Dash (10.78). Houston Baptist and Texas Southern swept the first five spots of the 1500 Meter Run with Baptist Josh Moran claiming the gold (4:07.16).
Houston Baptist and Tiger Lady’s teamed up once again, claiming the first and second spots in the 4×400 Meter Relay. Houston Baptist won the gold, clocking (3:58.25) .
Texas Southern Lady Tigers Kiya Reeves and Rakayla Robertson placed second and third in the 100 Hurdles with times of (14.86) and (15.04). Houston Baptist Women edged Grambling by running a winning time of (48.28) in the 4X100 Meter Relay. Houston-Tillotson finished fourth with a time of (50.22). Houston Baptist Kaitlin Smith squeaked by Reeves for the gold by breaking the tape at (14.57). Freshman Tatyana Bryant and Sophomore Robyn Brooks took second and third in the 100 Meter Dash, racing to a time of (12.42) and (12.58) respectively. Houston Baptist freshman Johanna Drew finished second in the 1500 Meter Run with a time of (4:52.46). Houston Baptist, Texas Southern and Houston-Tillotson claimed three of top four places in the 4X400 Meter Relay. Tigers pulled out the gold with a time of (3:16.64).
The University Of Houston Cougar Men entered the meet with the top national time in the 4X100 Meter Relay (38.82). The Cougars sprinted to a (39.60) clocking Saturday.
A host of trailblazers stayed the course of its early-season track and field plans by turning in top performances, which made it exciting for cheering fans.
One such led the crowd to watch Strake Jesuit’s Matthew Boling, who turned out to be a crowd pleaser. What made the evening special for Boling and the entire Strake Jesuit track club, was watching the high school senior blaze the 100 Meter Dash. A race he usually does not compete in. Typically, the track and field standout competes in the 400 Meter Dash, relays and the Long Jump.
Boling finished his incredible day by taking gold in two events, including the 100 Meter Dash (10.22), and the 200 Meter Dash (20.58). His 100 Meter Dash time, toppled the nation. Not only did Boling capture the crowd’s heart but he’s also a well-represented role model and student away sports.
His exceptional accomplishments on the day, added to last year’s success when he won the Texas Class 6A Long Jump title with a jump of (24-0.2) and finished second in the 400 Meter Dash (46.76) in the state finals.
Others, who left lasting impressions at the meet, were DeSoto’s Boys and Girls, Marshall Boys and several individuals.
The DeSoto Eagles known as an athletic hotbed for basketball, football and of course track and field, sent a message to competitors with a showcase of savvy athletes.
The Lady Eagles posted victories in both the 4X100 and the 4X400 Meter Relays. It’s clocking of (45.51) and (3:43.66) are tops in the nation. Bryannia Murphy (55.41) and Cierra Wash (55.53) finished first and second in the 400 Meter Dash. JaEra Griffin placed third in the 100 Meters (12.07). Brianna Washington took gold in the Shot Put with a throw of (41-07.50) and second in the Discuss with a (142-08).
DeSoto Boys clipped the tape first in the 4×400 Meter Relay with a time of (3:12.34). The clocking ranks first in the nation. It finished fourth in the 4X400 Meter Relay (41.49).
Fort Bend Marshal Boys came away with the top time in the country by winning the 4X100 Meter Relay in (40.66), edging out Duncanville’s (41.00).
Out of state elites watched talented high school senior Hurdler Alia Armstrong of St. Katharine Drexel Prep (New Orleans, LA) calmly separated herself from a crowded race 30 meters from the finish line where she clocked a time of (13.77) in the 100 Meter Hurdlers. Armstrong is no stranger to huge headlines. She finished third in the 55 Meter Dash Hurdles with a time of (7.75) at the New Balance Nationals Indoor held at the Armory Track and Field Center in New York, NY last weekend.
She holds the title and meet record in the 100 Meter Hurdles of last summer’s USATF Junior Olympics after clocking (13.40) in the finals and (13.33) in the semifinals.
Cory Wren of John Curtis Christian high school (River Ridge, LA) finish third in the 100 Meters in a time of (10.52). His prelims time of (10.48) was second best to Boling’s (10.28) on Friday evening.
On the professional circuit, Javon Francis, competing for Puma, best Shane Braithwaithe by dashing through the 100 Meter Dash in (10.6), opposing Braithwaihe’s, (10.74), who represented for Adidas. Francis also won the 300 Meter Open with a time of (32.90).
For a complete list of results, please visit the site www.texas-southern-relays.runnerspace.com
