The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Right On Track: Women’s Track & Field’s Carleta Bernard
01.22.2026 | Longhorn Foundation
From Jamaica’s storied track culture to the winning tradition on the Forty Acres, Carleta Bernard is running toward her future with the support of Longhorn Foundation donors.
Journey to the Forty Acres
Growing up in Jamaica, track and field was more than a sport for Carleta Bernard—it was a way of life.
Now a junior sprinter for the Longhorns, Bernard began running in elementary school and quickly found herself competing at a high level. In Jamaica, track and field is woven into the culture, with championship meets and talent identification beginning at an early age.
“The track culture in Jamaica is really big,” Bernard explained. “They take it really seriously starting in primary school, and I’ve been competing in important meets since childhood.”
That early exposure to elite competition prepared Bernard for the bright lights of collegiate athletics in the United States. Drawn to Texas’ championship standard made possible through the generosity of Longhorn Foundation donors, Bernard arrived on the Forty Acres as a freshman in 2023 and, just one year later, was competing in the 4x100-meter relay at the NCAA Championships, helping the Longhorns finish fifth with a time of 42.98.
“When I was considering where to go to school, Texas [Women’s Track and Field] had just won the National Championship,” Bernard said. “They also had a really strong sprints group, and it made the decision easy for me."
Scholarship Impact
As an international student-athlete pursuing a degree in Chemistry, Bernard knows firsthand how critical scholarship support is to turning opportunity into reality.
“Being an international student-athlete, it costs a lot more for me to attend college in the U.S.,” said Bernard. “Financially, I don’t think my parents would have been able to comfortably afford higher education here. Being on scholarship means everything to me and my family, and we’re so grateful.”
Thanks to the Longhorn Foundation, Carleta is able to focus on excelling in both the classroom and on the track without the burden of financial uncertainty.
“I honestly don’t know what I would have done if I wasn’t on scholarship,” Bernard said. “I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity."
Being on scholarship means everything to me and my family, and we're so grateful.Carleta Bernard
Academics and Professional Growth
Texas stood out to Bernard not only for its elite athletic tradition, but also for its academic excellence.
“Texas is a really good school academically, which was something I was looking for,” Bernard noted.
A Chemistry major with plans to attend graduate school, Carleta balances the demands of Division I athletics with a rigorous academic schedule.
“It’s tough. I feel like I’m studying for a quiz or exam almost every week,” Bernard said with a laugh. “But I really enjoy chemistry, especially lab work. Because I’m interested in it, it keeps me motivated to keep pushing.”
Donor support through the Longhorn Foundation goes beyond competition, empowering student-athletes like Bernard to pursue meaningful academic and professional goals while competing at the highest level.
On the Track
Bernard specializes in the 100-meter and 200-meter dash and earned USTFCCCA First Team All-America honors in 2025. During her sophomore season, she captured a Texas Relays title in the 100 meters with a personal-best time of 11.30, while also finishing third in the 200 meters with a personal best of 23.07.
With the indoor season underway and the outdoor season approaching, Bernard and the Longhorns look to build on the momentum of an exciting 2025 campaign as they pursue continued success in 2026.
For Bernard, each stride on the track represents more than speed—it reflects opportunity, support, and the lasting impact of Longhorn Foundation members who believe in Texas student-athletes.
