The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Tom Jones Invitational
No. 4/5 Track & Field post strong Friday at Tom Jones Memorial Invitational
04.17.2026 | Track & Field / Cross Country
Texas posts multiple personal bests, all-time marks to highlight opening day in Gainesville.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – No. 4/5 Texas Track & Field delivered a strong opening day at the Tom Jones Memorial Invitational on Friday at Percy Beard Track, highlighted by personal bests, top-three finishes and additions to the program's all-time lists.
Amelliah Birdow led the way in the women's 400-meter hurdles invitational, placing third with a personal-best time of 54.96. The mark strengthens her spot at No. 5 on the Texas all-time performer list and ranks as the 13th-fastest performance in program history.
On the men's side, Chris Brinkley Jr. delivered a breakthrough performance in the 400-meter hurdles invitational, winning his heat and finishing 11th overall in a personal-best 49.92 to move into ninth on the Texas all-time performer list.
In the women's 200-meter invitational, Carleta Bernard placed seventh with a wind-aided personal-best 22.68. Elise Cooper added a personal-best 23.03, while Rejoice Sulte crossed in 23.51. Troy Mason clocked a 21.00 in the men's 200-meter invitational.
The Longhorns also made an impact in the field event invitationals. Sam Abati recorded a personal-best clearance of 5.50 meters (18-0.50) to finish third in the men's pole vault invitational, moving into eighth on the Texas all-time list.
Michael Pinones earned a runner-up finish in the men's shot put invitational with a throw of 19.58m (64-3) and Kelsey Daniel placed sixth in the men's long jump invitational at 7.81 meters (25-7.50), while Giavonna Meeks placed 11th in the women's shot put invitational at 15.39m (50-6).
Outside of the invitational sections, Texas posted several strong results across the board. Abigail Wolfe led four Longhorns in the top 15 of the women's 200 meters with a third-place, personal-best time of 23.28. Naomi London (23.50) also recorded a personal best to place ninth, while Holly Okuku (23.58) and Ramiah Elliott (23.62) each turned in season-best efforts.
In the men's 200 meters, John Rutledge placed third at 20.94, followed by Logan Popelka in fifth (21.05).
Mathis Vaitulukina added a fifth-place finish in the open section (7.40m/24-3.50). Tabea Eitel placed 10th in the women's long jump with a 10th-place mark of 5.98 meters (19-7.50), and Brandon Gorski cleared 2.01 meters (6-7) in the men's high jump.
The Longhorns are competing in split-squad action this weekend, with the distance group racing concurrently at the Bryan Clay Invitational in Azusa, Calif.
Competition in Gainesville resumes Saturday at 9 a.m. ET (8 a.m. CT) with the men's discus.
Players Mentioned
