The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
David Hemery Valentine Invitational
Track & Field’s Atkinson breaks 39-year-old Texas 3,000-meter record
02.14.2026 | Track & Field / Cross Country
Piñones takes second in shot put, Daniel places third in triple jump; Cooper earns 200m runner-up in Arkansas.
BOSTON; FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Texas Track & Field's Sophie Atkinson set a program record in the women's 3,000 meters on Saturday, running 9:04.40 at the David Hemery Invitational at the Boston University Track & Tennis Center, as the Longhorns posted multiple all-time performances and NCAA top marks across multiple competitions.
Atkinson's mark shaved over 3.5 seconds off the previous record of 9:07.93 set by Annie Schweitzer on March 14, 1987, while placing fourth overall in the competition. Mackenzie Collins was the top Longhorn in the 400 meters with a ninth-place finish in 54.84, while Isabel Conde de Frankenberg (2:10.69) and Mia Perez (2:11.37) ran personal bests in the 800 meters.
At the Tyson Invitational on the Lance Harter Track at the Randal Tyson Track Center, Michael Pinones produced one of the top performances of the day, finishing second in the shot put with a personal-best throw of 19.57m (64-2.5). The mark moves him to No. 8 on Texas' all-time list.
Kelsey Daniel placed third in the triple jump with a leap of 16.50m (54-1.75). The performance improves him to No. 5 on the Texas all-time list and moves him to No. 4 on the NCAA list this season.
The women's 4x400-meter relay quartet of Amelliah Birdow, Elise Cooper, Bayleigh Minor and Anouk Krause-Jentsch placed third in 3:28.97, recording the 12th-fastest time in program history.
Cooper also turned in a runner-up finish in the women's 200 meters, clocking a season-best 22.96. Carleta Bernard placed fifth in 23.22, and Jamiah Nabbie finished 11th in 23.45. Rejoice Sule ran a season-best 23.58, while Abigail Wolfe matched that time for a personal best to place 17th and 18th, respectively.
Sophia Kowalski placed fifth in the pole vault, clearing 4.00m (13-1.50). Jeanne Le Goff finished sixth in the women's triple jump with a second-round mark of 13.13m (43-1) and Giavonna Meeks finished 12th in the shot put with a throw of 15.10m (49-6.50).
On the men's side, Osawese Agbonkonkon cleared a season-best 2.11m (6-11.00) to finish fourth in the high jump. Brandon Gorski tied for 10th in the high jump after clearing 2.06m (6-9.00).
On the track, a trio of Longhorns placed among the top 15 in the 200 meters, led by Kendrick Smallwood's season-best 20.92. Jayden Jones (21.09) and Troy Mason (21.10) followed in 14th and 15th.
In the mile, Joaquin De La Cruz posted a personal-best 4:07.69 to finish ninth, and Hudson Bennett placed 11th in 4:08.97. On the women's side, Aishling Callanan clocked a season-best 4:51.74, while Natasja Beijen recorded a personal-best 4:57.66.
Former Longhorns Stacey Ann Williams and Rhasidat Adeleke delivered a 1-2 finish in the women's 300 meters, as Williams matched the facility record with a time of 35.92 and Adeleke followed with a 36.30 to set a new Ireland national record.
Texas is slated to compete next at the Arkansas Qualifier on Friday, Feb. 20, before turning its attention to the SEC Indoor Championships at Texas A&M from Feb. 26-28.
Players Mentioned
