The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Leonard Hilton Memorial Invitational
Track and Field's Abati and Kowalski secure wins at Leonard Hilton Memorial
01.10.2026 | Track & Field / Cross Country
Longhorns open 2026 indoor season in first of two meets at Houston.
HOUSTON, Texas – The Texas track and field program opened its 2025-26 indoor season at the Leonard Hilton Memorial Invitational hosted by the University of Houston. A group of jumpers and middle-distance runners traveled to Houston for the first time of two meets this season.
The Texas women secured the top-three finishes in the 800-meter dash led by sophomore Grace Kowalski's indoor personal best time of 2:11.09. Sophomore Isabel Conde de Frankenberg was the runner-up in 2:11.81, while freshman Mia Perez was third in 2:12.71.
Sophomore pole vaulter Sam Abati won the men's event with a clearance of 5.25m (17-2.75). It ties the second-best mark in his indoor career.
Two Longhorn freshmen made their Texas debut in the women's high jump. Caroline Peterson finished as the runner-up clearing 1.65m (5-5) on her first attempt. Iana Ahetz-Etcheber finished tied for fourth at the same mark but needed three attempts.
Ahetz-Etcheber later finished third in her first-ever 600-yard race with a time of 1:25.41.
For the men, junior Osawese Agbonkonkon was the top-collegiate finished and placed second overall after clearing 2.10m (6-10.75) on his first attempt. Freshmen Brandon Gorski finished tied for fifth after clearing 2.00m (6-6.75), while Jonathan Hertwig-Ødegaard was 14th at 1.85m (6-0.75).
Hertwig-Ødegaard competed in the 60-meter prelims and finished with a personal best time of 7.07. His previous best was 7.14. He ended the day throwing the shot put 14.28 meters (46-10.25) on his final attempt.
Junior Sophia Kowalski was the runner-up in the women's pole vault clearing 3.93m (12-10.75). The clearance was Kowalski's best indoor season opener of her career.
Players Mentioned
