From runners making their introduction in competitive events to top-performing competitors repeating past greatness, Texas women’s track and field shined across all four days of the 97th Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays.
Competitors from all over the country made the trip to Austin to compete in the long-established meet, which ran from March 26-29. While some Texas athletes made their first showings in the outdoor season or navigated new events, others competed with higher goals in mind for the rest of the season.
Freshman Meagan Humphries made her outdoor and heptathlon debut as the event kicked off on Wednesday. Back at her Californian high school, Humphries did not get to finish the heptathlon at the Arcadia Invitational due to a season-ending injury on the first day.
The rain truly made its presence known throughout Thursday’s events, switching between a misty sprinkle and a heavy downpour. After being pelted in the eye by the rain in the 800-meter portion and racing with one eye open, Humphries ended the heptathlon in fourth place overall.
“Even though my marks weren’t what I would have hoped they were, I’m just happy I made it through the day, finished all my events and learned a lot about what I need to improve on,” Humphries said. “I’m always grateful for opportunities to compete just because it’s an opportunity to show off what I’ve been working on.”
The rain on Thursday night didn’t hinder Texas’ performances in other events either. Sophomore Aishling Callanan’s consistent pacing and determination earned her third place in the 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 10:36.53.
Another first-time participant, Callanan made her debut in steeplechase. Despite the nerves, Callanan said she was really pleased with her performance, especially since she was injured last year and couldn’t race.
“The whole race was smooth, and all the jumps were good, which was something I was a little bit worried about, so I’m really happy with it,” Callanan said.
After the steeplechase was the 5,000-meter race, an event where senior Eva Jess was expected to deliver — and she did. Jess won the event with a time of 15:57.92, moving her up to No. 6 on the all-time performer list and knocking seven seconds off her previous best.
“Right from the start, I could tell it wasn’t going to be like a PR time for me with the humidity and running so late (in the day),” Jess said.
Despite the race not being set in ideal conditions, Jess earned her first-ever Texas Relays title after disappointing results in her previous three. Her eyes are now set on making it to nationals, after falling short of a nationals qualification by a few spots in previous years.
“My confidence grows with every success I get,” Jess said. “I know I can think back on all my previous accomplishments, and when I go to the line, I know I’m someone worthy of stepping up to that line.”
On Friday and Saturday, all eyes were on sophomore Akala Garrett as she competed in both a short and long hurdle event.
Garrett dominated and won the 400-meter hurdles on Friday night, setting a meet record with a time of 55.49.
“Of course, the meet record is always amazing, but I had my own record I wanted to beat, and I didn’t execute that correctly,” Garrett said. “ I know based on my practices that (finishing in 54 seconds) could have come easy.”
Yet Garrett’s momentum from Friday’s performance carried over into Saturday afternoon, where she earned first place in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 12.75. The two-time Texas Relays champion has high expectations for herself this year, especially after coming off a serious injury.
Last year, Garrett competed on a broken foot, thinking that it was sprained. When she found out it was broken, it was two days into the 2024 Olympic Trials.
Now, Garrett is even more determined to perform well on the national level.
“Obviously everybody can tell now I’m big on dual hurdling,” Garrett said. “We have a big plan for this year, and just be ready for me to become the best dual hurdler in the NCAA.”