The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Corky Classic
Track and Field's Giavonna Meeks debuts with weight throw program record
01.16.2026 | Track & Field / Cross Country
Meeks makes Texas debut with top six throws in Texas history
LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas track and field opened the Corky Classic at Texas Tech with two event wins, which was sparked by a program record in the women's weight throw.
Junior transfer Giavonna Meeks broke the UT record in the women's weight on her very first throw at 21.50m. She went on to post the top six throws in Texas history, including her third-round throw of 22.37m (73-4.75) to set the record. Meeks took down Elena Bruckner's seven-year record of 19.60m.
Defending NCAA indoor long jump champion Kelsey Daniel later won the men's long jump on his very first jump of the season. Daniel took off for 7.95m (26-10) for the win and tied the 19th-best jump in Texas history. Freshman Mathis Vaitulukina finished fifth with a mark of 7.62m (25-0).
Sophomore Sam Abati was the runner-up in the men's pole vault with a personal-best clearance of 5.43m (17-9.75). The mark moved him up to No. 6 on the UT All-Time performer list. On the women's side, junior Sophia Kowalski finished tied for fourth with a season best clearance of 4.06m (13-3.75). Senior Isabella Coscetti was seventh at 3.91m (12-10).
On the track, Kendrick Smallwood matched his personal best in the 60-meter hurdle final with a time of 7.64. The time matches the No. 2 time in Texas history he set last season at the SEC Championships. The time was just .01 off from matching Keiron Stewart's Texas record.
Carleta Bernard reached the 60-meter finals but didn't race. In the semifinals, she posted the fastest qualifying time at 7.19 and is now tied for eighth on the UT All-Time performer list with Morolake Akinosun and Kevona Davis.
Senior Logan Popelka was the runner-up in the 300-meter dash with a time of 32.65. Popelka led four Longhorns before Troy Mason finished fifth in 33.06, John Rutledge was ninth in 33.53 and Conor Kelly debuted in 12th at 33.93. The women saw freshman Abigail Wolfe finish fourth in 38.17 and sophomore transfer Rejoice Sule finish sixth in 39.07.
Senior Chris Brinkley Jr. was fourth in the men's 400-meter dash with his second-fastest time indoor at 46.82. Junior transfer Jayden Jones was sixth in the 60-meter dash in 6.68, just .02 off his personal best.
Players Mentioned
