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Official newspaper of The University of Texas at Austin

The Daily Texan

Official newspaper of The University of Texas at Austin

The Daily Texan

Official newspaper of The University of Texas at Austin

The Daily Texan

All content by Tyler Firtel
A Texas football branded with the 2025 College Football Playoff Logo.

The outlook for Texas’ College Football Playoff chances

Tyler Firtel, Senior Sports Reporter November 13, 2025

Not only did the Texas Longhorns get a week of rest with their bye, but head coach Steve Sarkisian’s team actually made a move upwards in the College Football Playoff rankings ahead of its meeting with...

Texas head coach Vic Schaefer yells during Texas' game against Richmond at the Moody Center on Nov. 7.

Texas women’s basketball signs 2 high-ranking 2026 recruits

Tyler Firtel, Senior Sports Reporter November 13, 2025

Texas women’s basketball has signed two 2026 commits, guards Aaliah “Lizzy” Spaight and Amalia Holguin, according to a team press release from Wednesday afternoon. Both committed to the Longhorns...

Texas overcomes slow start, earns first ranked win of 2025-26 season

Tyler Firtel, Senior Sports Reporter November 8, 2025

Though phone flashlights illuminated across Moody Center in the lead-up to Friday night’s contest, it took a moment for Texas women’s basketball to feed off the electricity brought by its home...

Clark Lea’s transformation of Vanderbilt from SEC afterthought to national contender

Clark Lea’s transformation of Vanderbilt from SEC afterthought to national contender

Tyler Firtel, Senior Sports Reporter October 30, 2025

Within the gauntlet that is the Southeastern Conference, the Vanderbilt Commodores have long been considered the weakest link of the league, opposing teams unfazed by their presence on the schedule.  But...

Head coach Vic Schaefer with the women's basketball team after their win against Illinois in the NCAA tournament game on March 24, 2025.

Double-edged sword: Texas women’s basketball plays fast, physical in final exhibition

Tyler Firtel, Senior Sports Reporter October 28, 2025

Even before Texas jumped out to a 33-5 lead in the first quarter against the Texas Woman’s University Pioneers, it was clear to those watching around Moody Center that the scoreboard result would not...

Freshman Bryanna Preston guards Volunteer Samara Spencer as she drives to the basket during March Madness' Sweet Sixteen game against the Tennessee Vols in Birmingham, Alabama on Mar. 29.

Texas’ player-led culture, unifying identity on display in season lead-up

Tyler Firtel, Senior Sports Reporter October 26, 2025

As senior power forward Teya Sidberry walks into the facility each morning, she sees every member of the Texas women’s basketball staff, from the top down, already there and working. Sidberry transferred...

Down in the South: Week 9

Down in the South: Week 9

Tyler Firtel, Senior Sports Reporter October 23, 2025

No. 8 Ole Miss at No. 13 Oklahoma – 11 a.m. CT, ABC Ole Miss heads into the back end of a brutal two-game road stretch after a heartbreaker at Georgia last Saturday. In their first loss of the season,...

Senior guard Rori Harmon  during the NCAA March Madness Elite Eight game in Birmingham, Alabama on Monday, Mar. 31.

Rori Harmon buys into leadership role ahead of final season with Texas Longhorns

Tyler Firtel, Senior Sports Reporter October 21, 2025

Entering her fifth year in head coach Vic Schaefer’s program, graduate point guard Rori Harmon is the self-proclaimed “grandma” of Texas’ backcourt. “I’m really, really proud of ‘my children’...

Kentucky players to watch this week against Texas Longhorns

Kentucky players to watch this week against Texas Longhorns

Tyler Firtel, General Sports Reporter October 16, 2025

After picking up its first Southeastern Conference win in the 2025 campaign, Texas will head to Kroger Field to face the Kentucky Wildcats for a night game.  The Wildcats enter Saturday’s matchup...

Junior Sarah Graves flexes in celebration from the bench against LSU on March 8, 2025.

Sarah Graves’ student-athlete excellence features in inaugural BOSI advisory board

Tyler Firtel, Senior Sports Reporter October 13, 2025

When Sarah Graves arrived on the Forty Acres in 2022 as a finance freshman, she thought she’d be leaving her basketball days in the past. But her assumption of a fading love for the sport quickly...

OU head football coach Brent Venables during game against Houston on Sept. 7.

Oklahoma’s Brent Venables looks to continue resurgence into Red River Rivalry

Tyler Firtel, Senior Sports Reporter October 9, 2025

While a primary headline of Red River Rivalry week is the cruciality of the matchup to the trajectory of the Texas Longhorns’ 2025 campaign, opposing head coach Brent Venables also has something to prove...

Billy Napier’s seat getting hotter as Texas game approaches

Billy Napier’s seat getting hotter as Texas game approaches

Tyler Firtel, Senior Sports Reporter October 2, 2025

No seat in college football’s Power Four conferences may be hotter than that of Florida head coach Billy Napier.  Florida entered week two at No. 13 in the AP Poll, but after a last-second loss to...

Head coach Vic Schaefer watches senior Rori Harmon walk out with her family during Texas' senior day recognition March 2, 2025.

Vic Schaefer keeps Texas’ expectations sky-high despite offseason roster turnover

Tyler Firtel, Senior Sports Reporter September 25, 2025

Texas women’s basketball is only a few days into fall practice, but head coach Vic Schaefer is confident that, once again, there is something special developing in Austin.  “When you look on paper,...

Notes on Sam Houston Coach Phil Longo

Notes on Sam Houston Coach Phil Longo

Tyler Firtel, Senior Sports Reporter September 18, 2025

When the Texas Longhorns welcome the Sam Houston Bearkats to Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday night, the visiting team will have a first-year head coach leading their sideline. Bearkats...

Freshman Parker Livingstone celebrates scoring the first touchdown of the game against San Jose State on Sept. 6, 2025.

Down in the South: Week 3

Tyler Firtel, Senior Sports Reporter September 12, 2025

Wisconsin at No. 19 Alabama – 11:00 am on ABC The Crimson Tide and the Badgers will meet for the second straight year in a Big 10-Southeastern Conference matchup. Last season, Wisconsin was blown...

San José State players to watch this week in Darrell K Royal Texas-Memorial Stadium

Tyler Firtel, Senior Sports Reporter September 4, 2025

The Texas Longhorns will hold its 2025 home opener against the San José State Spartans of the Mountain West Conference. Both teams will be in search of their first win of the season after San José State...

Longhorn Head Coach Vic Schaefer pleads with an official after a foul call against LSU on March 8, 2025.

Texas women’s basketball releases 15-game non-conference slate

Tyler Firtel, Senior Sports Reporter September 3, 2025

In five years under head coach Vic Schaefer, Texas women’s basketball has made the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight four times and reached its first Final Four since 2003 last season. The Longhorns have certified...

Texas defensive back Michael Taaffe celebrates a tackle during the SEC Championship game against Georgia on Dec. 7, 2024.

Texas versus Ohio State — Keys to winning a massive college football season opener

Tyler Firtel, Senior Sports Reporter August 28, 2025

The Texas Longhorns will be participating in one of the most-anticipated college football season openers of all time. Earning the top spot in both the preseason AP and Coaches polls, the Longhorns are...

Texas schedules official visit lineup, hopes to continue Sean Miller’s recruiting performance

Texas schedules official visit lineup, hopes to continue Sean Miller’s recruiting performance

Tyler Firtel, Senior Sports Reporter August 28, 2025

Head coach Sean Miller is ushering in a new era of Texas men’s basketball. That’s what Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte brought him in to do. “I’m confident our players and coaches will...

Junior forward Kyla Oldacre drives for the basket during Texas' game against Florida on March 2, 2025.

Texas women’s basketball goes 3–1 in GLOBL JAM, using international tournament as ‘growing experience’

Tyler Firtel, Senior Sports Reporter August 21, 2025

Texas women’s basketball represented the United States on the international stage at the 2025 GLOBL JAM in Toronto, Canada, earlier this month. A top under-23 tournament, the women’s side consisted...

Sophomore Kayden Henry celebrates a game one victory over the Texas Tech Red Raiders with Athletic Director Chris Del Conte during the Women's College World Series Championship on June 4, 2025.

Texas vice president and athletic director Chris Del Conte officially extended until 2036

Tyler Firtel, Senior Sports Reporter August 21, 2025

The University of Texas System Board of Regents approved the six-year contract extension for Vice President and Athletic Director Chris Del Conte during its meeting on Thursday. With the terms’ approval,...

10 ex Longhorns entrarán en el Salón de Honor de Texas Athletics de 2025

10 ex Longhorns entrarán en el Salón de Honor de Texas Athletics de 2025

Tyler Firtel and Bruno Fernández July 30, 2025

Nota del editor: este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 29 de julio por Tyler Firtel y fue traducido al español por Bruno Fernández. El 23 de julio, Texas Athletics anunció sus miembros...

10 former Longhorns to be welcomed to 2025 Texas Athletics Hall of Honor

10 former Longhorns to be welcomed to 2025 Texas Athletics Hall of Honor

Tyler Firtel, General Sports Reporter July 29, 2025

On July 23, Texas Athletics announced its 2025 Hall of Honor inductees. The group consists of five men and five women who competed on the Forty Acres across various programs and time frames.  The...

Senior guard Arthur Kaluma yells at a teammate during Texas' game against Georgia on March 1, 2025.

Arthur Kaluma earns chance with Los Angeles Lakers following NBA Summer League

Tyler Firtel, General Sports Reporter July 26, 2025

After playing for their NBA Summer League team earlier this month, Texas alumnus Arthur Kaluma has earned an Exhibit 10 contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.  Kaluma’s deal with the storied franchise...

Myles Turner durning Texas' game against North Dakota State on Nov. 14, 2014.

Myles Turner’s eventful summer: A finals run and a shocking free agency move

Tyler Firtel, General Sports Reporter July 21, 2025

Last month, former Texas big man Myles Turner became the 11th Longhorn to be rostered in the NBA Finals.  In his tenth season with the Indiana Pacers, Turner helped lead the team to its first appearance...

Head coach Steve Sarkisian after Texas' game against Florida on Nov. 9, 2024.

2 of Texas football’s pass-catching newcomers are players to watch as season approaches

Tyler Firtel, General Sports Reporter July 17, 2025

With a school-record-setting 12 players selected in April’s NFL Draft and five others signing as undrafted free agents, it was clear that the Texas Longhorns’ depth chart would look quite different...

Austin FC to be represented by 2 players, head coach at MLS All-Star Game

Austin FC to be represented by 2 players, head coach at MLS All-Star Game

Tyler Firtel, General Sports Reporter June 30, 2025

It’s peak summer in Austin, so when it comes to collegiate athletics in the Texas capital, events are at their yearly low. But in the professional sports scene, Austin is set to be at the epicenter of...

Senior forward Arthur Kaluma during Texas' game against Auburn on Jan. 7, 2025.

Former Texas big man Arthur Kaluma signs with Los Angeles Lakers as undrafted free agent

Tyler Firtel, General Sports Reporter June 29, 2025

After four years in college, former Texas forward Arthur Kaluma has earned his way onto the professional stage. Kaluma and his representation, Life Sports Agency, announced Thursday night on Instagram...

Golfer Tommy Morrison holds up the 2023-2024 Learfield Directors Cup trophy during halftime of the football game against Colorado State on Aug. 31, 2024.

Texas gana la Directors’ Cup en una carrera reñida y consolida el éxito del modelo de Del Conte

Tyler Firtel and Bruno Fernández June 19, 2025

Nota del editor: Este artículo se publicó por primera vez el 16 de Junio por Tyler Firtel y fue traducido al español por Bruno Fernández Texas reafirmó su dominio en el deporte universitario...

Golfer Tommy Morrison holds up the 2023-2024 Learfield Directors Cup trophy during halftime of the football game against Colorado State on Aug. 31, 2024.

Texas wins Learfield Directors’ Cup in close race, showing continued success of Del Conte’s athletic culture

Tyler Firtel, General Sports Reporter June 16, 2025

“The Eyes of Texas are upon you,” reads the first line of the University of Texas alma mater. The phrase, sung before and after every Texas athletic event, serves as a reminder to Longhorns to...

Junior Logan Popelka races in the Men's 4x400-meter relay at Mike A. Myers Stadium during Texas Relays March 29, 2025.

In finale of an adversity-filled year, Texas men take on NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships

Tyler Firtel, General Sports Reporter June 12, 2025

Despite following shortly after indoor, the outdoor season can feel like a blank slate for student-athletes due to the shift in events, format and competition environment.  For the Texas men’s track...

Longhorn 3000-meter runners Nathanael Berhane, Rodger Rivera and Isaac Alonzo (left to right) fight for positioning at the beginning of the race at the SEC Indoor Track and Field Championships on March 1, 2025.

With a ‘chip on our shoulder,’ Texas men’s track and field attack outdoor season

Tyler Firtel, General Sports Reporter April 22, 2025

After the Texas men finished 14th out of 15 schools at the Southeastern Conference Indoor Championships on March 1, head coach Edrick Floréal led a team meeting before leaving College Station. Despite...

Kendrick Smallwood during the 110-meter hurdles final on March 29, 2025. Smallwood took first and broke the Texas program record with his time of 13.07 seconds.

Last to first: Kendrick Smallwood’s 2025 Texas Relays were more than just a competition

Tyler Firtel, General Sports Reporter April 9, 2025

On March 29, 2024, then-sophomore Kendrick Smallwood finished last in the 110-meter hurdle preliminaries at the Texas Relays. Smallwood fell on one of the hurdles, straining his left abductor. He tore...

Junior Kendrick Smallwood jumps the final hurdle in the 60-meter hurdle event at the SEC Indoor Track and Field Championships on March 1, 2025.

Texas men in action, find success at Texas Relays despite weather difficulties

Tyler Firtel, General Sports Reporter March 28, 2025

Austin skies plagued the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays with intense periods of rain Thursday, causing the meet’s events to be halted — but not for long. Amidst the gloomy conditions, events resumed...

Nigusom Knight competes in the 5000-meter run at the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays on March 28, 2024.

Track and field makes midseason transition from indoor to outdoor

Tyler Firtel, General Sports Reporter March 26, 2025

For Texas men’s track and field, March is a month of transition, marking the end of the indoor season and the start of the outdoor one.  Outside of senior long jumpers Kelsey Daniel and Solomon Washington,...

Sophomore Kelsey Daniel finishes his final triple jump attempt at the SEC Indoor Track and Field Championships on March 1, 2025.

Kelsey Daniel becomes first Texas male to win indoor long jump in record-breaking performance

Tyler Firtel and Karthik Nemmani March 15, 2025

With his arms raised wide in the air and a grin spread across his face, senior Kelsey Daniel rose to his rightful place atop the trophy podium on Friday night. Daniel flew through the competition at...

Sophomore Kelsey Daniel finishes his final triple jump attempt at the SEC Indoor Track and Field Championships on March 1, 2025.

Long jumpers’ differences, commonalities help propel them to indoor national stage

Tyler Firtel and Karthik Nemmani March 13, 2025

Transferring from New Mexico Junior College two years ago, senior Kelsey Daniel thought his best friends on the Texas track and field team would be fellow JUCO products. However, that quickly shifted when...

Junior Solomon Washington lands in the sand pit while competing in the triple jump at the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays on March 30, 2024. Washington jumped 14.67 meters.

Texas men’s track and field eye SEC, NCAA Indoor Championships with regular season in rearview mirror

Tyler Firtel, General Sports Reporter February 26, 2025

The lights are brighter. The competition is better. When it comes to the Southeastern Conference, it just means more.  There will be no exceptions to this starting Thursday as the Texas Longhorns face...

Sophomore Osawese Agbonkonkon isn't afraid to take the leap

Sophomore Osawese Agbonkonkon isn’t afraid to take the leap

Tyler Firtel, General Sports Reporter February 25, 2025

With silver-framed glasses and a wide smile, Osawese Agbonkonkon’s Texas journey is just getting started. He may not be wearing a cape, but when he launches himself over the high jump bar, it’s...

The Texas men's cross country team runs towards the finish line at the opening meet of the 2024 season, held at Southwestern University on August 30, 2024.

Ten men’s cross country runners named to 2024 Fall SEC Honor Roll

Tyler Firtel , General Sports Reporter February 18, 2025

In the ever-changing world of college athletics, the term ‘student-athlete’ is sometimes lost in translation as the collegiate level looks more and more professional. However, the 2024 Fall SEC Honor...

John Rutledge crosses the finish line at the Texas Invitational on April 27, 2024. Rutledge won his heat of the 100-meter dash with a time of 10.28.

Men’s track and field past indoor halfway point after second Albuquerque meet 

Tyler Firtel , General Sports Reporter February 11, 2025

If the indoor track season were a 100-meter dash, Texas would be past the 50-meter point, accelerating into the all-important final stretch.  On Friday and Saturday in Albuquerque, New Mexico, 19 Longhorns...

Isaac Alonzo runs the final stretch of the 8k course at the Cowboy Jamboree Meet on Sept. 23, 2023.

Men’s distance team travels to Fayetteville for Razorback Invitational, UT alumnus wins 3000-meter race 

Tyler Firtel , General Sports Reporter February 4, 2025

Distance runners represented Texas men’s track and field at the Razorback Invitational on Friday and Saturday. While not all members of the distance team double in cross country and track and field,...

Solomon Washington lands in the sand pit while competing in the long jump event at the Texas Invitational on April 27, 2024.

Success continues for Texas men’s track and field in New Mexico, team at No. 7 in opening indoor rankings

Tyler Firtel , General Sports Reporter January 28, 2025

Texas men’s track and field continued its impressive form at the Dr. MLK Jr. Invitational in the team’s first of two trips to Albuquerque, New Mexico, this indoor season.  The foremost of Texas...

Sam Hurley competes in high jump at the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays on March 30, 2024.

Impressive performances lead the way for Texas men’s track and field in Arkansas

Tyler Firtel , General Sports Reporter January 21, 2025

Standout performers led Texas men’s track and field to an accomplished 2025 opener. Competing in the Arkansas Invitational in Fayetteville on Friday, underclassmen and upperclassmen both contributed...

Men’s track & field indoor season underway

Men’s track & field indoor season underway

Tyler Firtel, General Sports Reporter January 16, 2025

The start of a new year means the collegiate track and field season is up and running. Athletes will compete on indoor surfaces during the first half of the season and outdoor during the second, allowing...

Isaac Alonzo runs the final stretch of the 8k course at the Cowboy Jamboree Meet on Sept. 23, 2023.

Isaac Alonzo closes out senior cross country season representing Texas men’s cross country in NCAA Championships

Tyler Firtel, General Sports Reporter December 2, 2024

Personal bests, top performances and collegiate recognition shaped the story of Isaac Alonzo’s senior cross country season.  A dual track and field and cross country athlete, Alonzo led the way for...

Graduate student Isaac Alonzo leads the Texas Cross Country team down the first 100-meters of the Stormy Seas Opener course on Aug. 30, 2024.

Texas men’s cross country comes in third at regionals, fails to qualify for the NCAA National Championships

Tyler Firtel, General Sports Reporter November 21, 2024

Spots in the 2024 NCAA National Championships were on the line when Texas men’s cross country traveled to College Station last Friday for the NCAA South Central Regionals. Amongst a field of 32 teams,...

Isaac Alonzo runs the final stretch of the 8k course at the Cowboy Jamboree Meet on Sept. 23, 2023.

Men’s cross country finishes fourth at SEC Championships

Tyler Firtel, General Sports Reporter November 3, 2024

On Friday, unranked Texas men’s cross-country placed fourth in its debut SEC Cross Country Championships in College Station. The Longhorns finished behind No. 3 Arkansas, No. 11 Alabama and Ole Miss...

Graduate student Isaac Alonzo leads the Texas Cross Country team down the first 100-meters of the Stormy Seas Opener course on Aug. 30, 2024.

Competing year-round, distance runners pace themselves race-by-race, month-by-month

Tyler Firtel, General Sports Reporter October 15, 2024

In the midst of his senior year cross country season, distance runner Isaac Alonzo is navigating life as a fall in-season student athlete. But he prepares to do so in the spring as well.  Each year...

From left to right: Isaac Alonzo, Jack Boyd and Emmanuel Sgouros lead the pack at the Stormy Seas Opener on Aug. 30, 2024.

Men’s cross country comes in fourth at 2024 Cowboy Jamboree

Tyler Firtel, General Sports Reporter September 29, 2024

No. 24 Texas men’s cross country competed in the 8K at the 2024 Cowboy Jamboree hosted in Stillwater, Oklahoma, on Saturday, finishing fourth out of 17 universities in the team standings after accumulating...

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