The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Okolo leads USA to gold in 4x400
08.20.2016 | Track & Field / Cross Country
Gordon to receive silver medal for role in Jamaican prelim race
RIO DE JANEIRO – Team USA has dominated the women's 4x400 meter relay at the Olympics and that trend continued with a Longhorn leading the way to a sixth straight gold medal in the event.
Courtney Okolo ran the opening leg of the relay for Team USA and handed the baton to the second leg after building a strong lead on the first lap. Okolo, Natasha Hastings, Phillis Francis and Allyson Felix combined to run 3:19.06.
Also winning a medal on Saturday was Chrisann Gordon. The rising senior at UT did not run in the final, but by running during the prelims she is eligible to receive a silver medal along with her Jamaican teammates.
"Courtney was outstanding and showed what she is capable of. She gave Team USA a good lead to help secure gold," said Texas Associate Head Coach Tonja Buford-Bailey, who coaches the sprints, hurdles and relays at UT. "Chrisann did what she needed to do for her team yesterday. She ran a great leg with a 50-flat split.
"I'm so happy for both of those ladies. They worked so hard this year. It's so great to see the rewards of so much dedication to a craft this entire season. I'm so proud of them all."
The medals for Okolo and Gordon close the week of track and field action in Rio for Longhorns and brings the medal total of current and former Texas Track & Field athletes to six medals. Four of those were gold with one silver and bronzes.
Texas Head Coach Mario Sategna, who also served in Rio as Team USA Men's Assistant Coach for Throws, said the performances in Rio were inspiring across the board by the Longhorns and will hopefully be a sign of great things to come in the future at the Olympic Games.
"It was a great way to cap our Olympic Games for Team USA, Jamaica and The University of Texas," Sategna said. "Seeing our athletes, our Texas Exes and current athletes who were in our program this year, get on the podium at this level is something that is life-changing. This obviously sets the tone for the future. I think it opens up a lot of opportunities for people that aspire to be the very best."
With the six medals won by track and field stars combined with other Longhorns in Rio, Texas has won 12 medals with another gold on the line Sunday with Kevin Durant in men's basketball.
Texas Track & Field 2016 Olympic Games Results
Michelle Carter – Shot Put – Gold
Ryan Crouser – Shot Put – Gold
Morolake Akinosun – 4x100m – Gold
Courtney Okolo – 4x400m – Gold
Chrisann Gordon – 4x400m – Silver
Ashley Spencer – 400m Hurdles – Bronze
Byron Robinson – 400m Hurdles – 9th place
Jamal Wilson – High Jump – t-25th place
Marielle Hall – 10,000m – 33rd place
