The TSU Relays is an annual track meet held each spring in the middle of March. Though the meet has been held at different locations in different years. It was held at Alexander Durley Sports Complex located on the Campus of Texas Southern University in the Third Ward Community. The field events were located at University Houston. The meet dates all the way back to 1951 also held on the Campus of Texas Southern University.
I spoke with the winning Dallas Skyline girls 4×400 meter relay team about their victory. “We’re just trying to become a team, trying to work together and put our heads together as one,” said ShaReva Tyson of Dallas Skyline after winning the 4×400 meter relay team.
” This track meet is the best in Texas and it’s some of the same competition we’ll see in state. We came here to see where we’re at. That’s why we come here,” said Jasmine Webb of Dallas Skyline, also a part of the winning 4×400 meter relay team.
Skyline is a state power and a national power. Always seem to do very well any place they compete. Perkins, Alishia placed in the top ten in the 100 meter run, Ellison, Fredricka placed in the top ten in the 200 meter run, Jolly, Brittany and Rivera, Jessica finished 5th and 6th respectfully in the 3200 Meter Run, they placed 2nd in the 4×100 Meter Relay, they took first in the 4×200 Meter Relay, they finished first in the 4×400 Meter Relay, they took first in the 4×800 Meter Relay, finished fourth in the 1600 Sprint Medley, first in the Distance Medley.
“TSU Relays separates itself from any other track meet in the state. They host from middle schools to the professional ranks and is rated as the fifth largest track meet in the country. It’s an early track meet that let’s athletes know where they stack up against the completion, prepares them for the rest of season and for some bragging rights.
“We took off at a pretty strong paste but I just kind of wanted to sit back and let the race unfold and come out on top at the end,”said Justin Dermit of Cinco Ranch High School. After asking Dermit how much did he save during the race to finish so strong. I actually wasn’t saving that much it was a tough kick. I got to the 200 and told myself I got to give it all I got,” said Dermit winner of the 1600 meter run in the time of 4:29.31
With an abundance of talent on hand your A game is needed. The best of the best is usually front and center at the TSU Relays. There’s never a shortage of stiff competition.
As always runners came from all over the state as well as outside the state. Inside the state their were 225 Texas teams that competed and twenty nine professional clubs competed from different states. Eight different states were represented at the 58th Annual TSU Relays which included from 7th grade to the professional ranks starting with teams from Florida, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Tennessee. There were more than 3600 athletes competing.