The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Sprints group looks for even more success in 2015
10.17.2014 | Texas Relays, Track & Field / Cross Country
Texas speedsters dominated Big 12 Conference during 2014
AUSTIN, Texas – A total of 12 conference titles were claimed in the sprints events by Texas track and field in 2014. That's indoor and outdoor. It's also half of the titles available in the sprints events.
Half.
The rest of the nine Big 12 Conference schools spread the 12 events the Longhorns did not win combined among the men and women. To say the sprints group made an impact on the 2014 season for Texas would be an understatement.
But the impact went beyond the Big 12 Championships for the sprinters. The Longhorns saw their sprinters set two NCAA records on the women's side. After freshman Kendall Baisden helped Texas finish second at both NCAA Championship meets, she would go on and win two gold medals at the IAAF Junior World Championships over the summer.
All but one Longhorn that won a conference championship or set a record in the sprints is back for 2015.
"I like that we had so many freshmen and sophomores step up so we can get experience and have something to build on as a stepping stone," said junior Zack Bilderback, who won the Big 12 title indoor and out in the 400 meters.
Courtney Okolo won the Big 12 title outdoors in the 400 meters while breaking the NCAA record with her time of 50.03 seconds. Baisden ran 50.46 to finish second and rank 10th in NCAA history, knocking former Longhorn great and Olympic gold medalist Sanya Richards-Ross out of the top 10 collegiate in-season performances.
With freshmen making an immediate impact on the team, Okolo said it proves any member of the team can step up and be an important piece to the overall success of the program.
"Seeing freshmen like Kendall last year, it sets high expectations for the freshmen this year, but everybody knows what they're capable of," Okolo said. "And it's our part to be a good example for them. Hopefully they can follow in the footsteps of what we've done."
The Texas coaching staff has added to the already strong arsenal of sprinters for 2015. With nearly all the conference champions returning this year the newcomers are still expected to help the Longhorns score even more points at the Big 12 and NCAA championship meets.
Texas swept the women's Big 12 team titles last season thanks in part to the sprinters with the men finishing second indoor and out. The women finished second at both NCAA Championships as well. This season the men and women both will be hoping to light the tower by bringing home more hardware.
"The most important thing is a team win. Whatever it takes," said Associate Head Coach Tonja Buford-Bailey, who coaches the sprinters. "I think going in really early from the beginning and letting everyone know what their expectations are and what they need to do (is important). Just to be able to have a big impact is always nice."
That impact could be even bigger in 2015 for the Longhorns sprinters.
2014 Texas Sprinters Championships
Men
Senoj-Jay Givans: Big 12 Indoor 60m, Big 12 Outdoor 200m (school record)
Zack Bilderback: Big 12 Indoor and Outdoor 400m
Big 12 Indoor 4x400m Relay Champions
Women
NCAA Outdoor 4x400m Relay Champions – NCAA Record time 3:24.21
Big 12 Outdoor 4x100m Relay Champions
Morolake Akinosun: Big 12 Indoor 60m, Big 12 Outdoor 100m and 200m
Courtney Okolo: NCAA Outdoor 400m, Big 12 Outdoor 400m (NCAA Record time)
Ashley Spencer: Big 12 Indoor 400m
Danielle Dowie: Big 12 Outdoor 400m Hurdles
Players Mentioned
