“What starts here changes the world” is not just a motto at the University, but a mission statement that seems to be ringing true for the current and former Longhorn athletes competing at the 2025 Track and Field World Championships from Sept. 13-21. Whether they’re hurdling down the runway or preparing for a throw, these performances are turning burnt orange pride into gold, silver and bronze.
Here are some Longhorn athletes who grabbed medals in Tokyo:
Tara Davis-Woodhall – Long Jump
“America’s Cowgirl” and Olympic Gold Medalist Tara Davis-Woodhall brought home some hardware for her growing collection, picking up a gold medal in the women’s long jump. With a world-leading jump of 7.13 meters, the former Longhorn claimed first place on her fourth attempt of the long jump final.
Leo Neugebauer – Decathlon
“Leo the German” struck gold in the men’s decathlon, scoring 8,804 points to seal the win. Over multiple days of competition, the Olympian competed in ten events across track and field. Of the ten events, Neugebauer’s performance in the discus throw earned him the most praise, with his throw of 56.15 meters setting a record in the event for a World Championship competition.
Ryan Crouser – Shot Put
Three-time Olympic shot putter Ryan Crouser came up big at the World Championships. Battling an elbow injury, Crouser debuted his season by claiming gold in the men’s shot put final, with a commanding throw of 22.34 meters. The first-place finish added a third gold World Championship medal to his already stacked resume.
Julien Alfred – 100-meter
After cruising through the 100-meter rounds, Olympic gold medalist Julien Alfred brought St. Lucia its first Outdoor World Championship medal. In a time of 10.84 seconds, Alfred held off a seasoned field of veteran sprinters to claim the bronze. Although the St. Lucian was entered in the 200-meter, an event she had raced confidently in all season, Alfred ultimately pulled out of the heats. Per NBC Sports, Alfred’s withdrawal was due to a grade-one hamstring strain.
Stacey Ann Williams – 4×400-meter relay
After missing the finals of the individual 400-meter, Stacey Ann Williams surged back to aid Team Jamaica in a second-place podium finish in the 4×400-meter relay. With an individual split time of 49.59 seconds, the Olympian ran a strong second leg that contributed to the final medal-winning time of 3:19.25. The performance not only awarded Williams with a silver medal, but also a season’s best for Team Jamaica.
