In 1990 at the NCAA Championships, Texas finished fourth. In the 22 years since then, the Longhorns haven’t been able to pull off a top-five finish.

Last season, Texas finished 11th. This season, Texas holds the No. 5 position in rankings, the highest position the Longhorns have held in the history of the USTFCCCA poll, which makes that 22-year streak seem very vulnerable.

In addition to having the advantage of a high ranking, the Longhorns also have a remarkable coaching staff. For the second consecutive year, assistant coach John Hayes was voted the NCAA South Central Region Coach of the Year by the USTFCCCA.

Hayes has worked all season to get the Longhorns to where they need to be for Saturday’s NCAA Championships at 12:15 p.m. in Louisville, Ky. With a dedicated Texas team capable of living up to its ranking, a top-five finish is well within reach.

Printed on Friday, November 16, 2012 as: Horns playing for first national title