The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Big 12 Outdoor Championships
No. 6/4 Track and Field preview: Big 12 Championships
05.13.2021 | Track & Field / Cross Country
The Longhorns begin postseason action with the Big 12 Championships in Manhattan, Kansas on Friday.
MANHATTAN, Kan. – The No. 6/4 Texas Track and Field program begins postseason competition this weekend when they compete in the Big 12 Championships, hosted by Kansas State, in Manhattan, Kan. The conference meet is scheduled to be held Friday through Sunday, May 14-16. UT has won 75 Outdoor Track and Field conference titles (53 men/22 women) in its illustrious history, most recently doing so in 2019 on the women's side and 2017 on the men's. Texas' women have won 11 Big 12 Outdoor titles, while the Longhorn men have claimed eight, in the league's 25-year history.
The Longhorns remained the highest-ranked Big 12 program for another week in the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association's (USTFCCCA) National Rating Index on Monday. UT is slotted at No. 4 in the women's rankings, and No. 6 in the men's, entering the Big 12 Championships.
On the women's side, the Longhorns currently boast 26 NCAA Regional-qualifying marks and times, led by Tara Davis' world-leading long jump mark (7.14m/23-5.25). Davis' mark broke Jackie Joyner-Kersee's 36-year-old collegiate record and has stood as the NCAA lead since she set it back in March at the Texas Relays. In addition to Davis' leading long jump, Texas holds nine NCAA top-10 marks and times currently this season.
The Texas men possess 16 NCAA Regional-qualifying marks to date, highlighted by an NCAA-leading mark in the triple jump for O'Brien Wasome. His effort of 17.06m/55-11.75 broke Tyrone Scott's 33-yeard-old school record and has stood as the top mark in the nation since he posted it back on March 6 at the Longhorn Invitational. Among current NCAA leaders, Wasome has held the nation's triple jump for longer than any other competitor in their respective events this season. In addition to his triple jump mark, the Longhorns currently hold seven NCAA top-10 marks overall.
Players Mentioned
