Photo by Kirby Lee/ Image of Sport
The Texas Southern Track and Field team set the bar high with several competitive showings to kick off the early outdoor season. Bayli George and Chaunzavia Lewis had huge performances, among many other Tiger athletes.
It poured at times as expected, but timing prevailed. Local and national meteorologists predicted thunderstorms for the Houston area, which meant the weekend could suffer a washout. Though heavy showers covered the area, competitors took advantage of precise moments. However, reaping the most out of the moment meant more for most student-athletes competing in the 72nd Annual Coast Guard TSU Relays at Alexander Durley Stadium on Friday and Saturday on the Campus of Texas Southern.
Several athletes including Jessica Williams, who took third in the Women’s 5000 Meter University, posting a time of (20:40.75). Diamond Barrett placed third in the 200 Meter University (25.47). Barrett joined Erica Grant, Tyeler Moore, and Avia Trammell to help edged rival Prairie View in the 4×100 Meter Relay University with a time of (47.91) opposed to (48.33) while placing fourth. George dashed through the finish line first in the 400 Meter University, recording a time of (56.26). Adayshia Coleman took fourth (15.34), and Kayla Jenkins was fifth (15.39), earning back-to-back finishes at the 100-meter Hurdles University. Lyrid Ray also helped the Tigers land three runners in the top ten of the event by placing seventh (16.16). Trammell finished sixth in the 100 Meter University (12.52). Lyrid placed seventh in the 100 Meter Hurdles University (1:12.64)
The men were equally impressive, with competitive finishes. The showing gives the Tigers a solid foundation to build on heading into the season when the competition only gets stiffer.
Brandon Washington pulled out a second-place finish in the Men’s 800-Meter University. Javon Bucklly, Isaac Henderson, William Perry, and Trevon Ridley finished third in the 4×100 Meter Relay University with a time of (41.10). Michael Strange Jr. (49.28) and Kaseem Ibraheem-Washington (49.63) finished back-to-back, third and fourth in the 400 Meter University.
The Tiger men shared similarities with the women’s team by sweeping second, third, and fourth in the 110-meter Hurdles University when Hilton Smith, Donyea Jarmon, and Chaunkiveon Lewis respectfully took the honors. The Tigers also grabbed three of the top-five spots in the 100 Meter University. Chaunzavia Lewis took gold (10.67), William Perry captured bronze (10.80), and Henderson (10.84) finished fifth. Jose Gonzales took fourth in the 1-mile university (4:18.40). Chaunzavia Lewis, Perry, Strange Jr., and Kaseem Ibraheen-Washington team up for a second-place finish in the 4×400 Meter Relay University (3:17.08).
The Tigers didn’t leave it all on the track. It made its presence felt in the field events. Donovan Brooks got off to a great start, winning the high jump (6-0) and placing second in the Discuss (152-0), while Kellen Garion finished fifth (135-11). Garion also picked up bronze in the Hammer (126-2) as Jalen Walker won the event (155-10). Malachi Byrd grabbed the third spot in the javelin (118-4) ahead of a fourth place finish by Jaylan Johnson (112-0) and fifth place Tyree Newman (106-4). Blaine Nunn finished third in the shot put (47-10)
Texas Southern nailed down five of the top ten spots in the long jump as Donyae Castaneda took gold with a jump of (24’5.5″), Hilton Smith (22’11”) 5th, Brooks (21’3.5″) 8th, Ahmad Muhammad (21’0.75″) 9th, and Byrd (20’11.75) 10th helped.
Tigers will travel to Rice University’s next Thursday through Saturday to compete in the 41st Victor Lopez Classic.
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