The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Tom Jones Invitational
No. 4/5 Track & Field wraps competition at Tom Jones Memorial Invitational
04.18.2026 | Track & Field / Cross Country
Meeks records No. 2 performance in program history; men’s 4x400 relay takes first.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – No. 4/5 Texas Track & Field closed competition at the Tom Jones Memorial Invitational on Saturday at Percy Beard Track, highlighted by a historic performance in the women's hammer throw invitational and a victory in the men's 4x400-meter relay.
Giavonna Meeks delivered the top performance of the day for Texas in the women's hammer throw invitational, placing fourth with a mark of 66.68 meters (218-9). The throw ranks No. 2 in program history, and with her five marks on Saturday, Meeks now owns each of the top 11 performances in Texas history.
Texas closed the meet with a win in the men's 4x400-meter relay, as Sihle Mahlangu, Logan Popelka, John Rutledge and Chris Brinkley Jr. combined for a time of 3:04.10.
In the throws, David Jarolimek recorded a personal-best throw of 56.48 meters (185-4) to place second in the men's discus, while Ben Shue finished sixth at 55.17 meters (181-0). Shue also added a runner-up finish in the men's shot put with a personal-best mark of 17.91 meters (58-9.25).
On the track, Ramiah Elliott led a strong showing in the women's 400 meters with a third-place, personal-best time of 52.42. Anouk Krause-Jentsch followed in sixth with a personal-best 53.04, while Mackenzie Collins (53.75) and Holly Okuku (53.92, PB) added top-15 finishes. In the women's 400-meter invitational, Bayleigh Minor clocked 52.66.
The Longhorns added solid results in the men's 400 meters, with Sihle Mahlangu placing 10th in a personal-best 46.51 and Brinkley finishing 14th with a personal-best 46.72. Popelka posted a 45.65 to place 12th in the men's 400-meter invitational.
In the sprint invitationals, Abigail Wolfe led Texas in the women's 100 meters with a time of 11.19, followed by Naomi London (11.43) and Rejoice Sulte (11.51). Jayden Jones clocked 10.43 in the men's 100-meter invitational.
Texas also competed in the women's 4x400-meter invitational, as Amelliah Birdow, Elise Cooper, Ramiah Elliott and Minor combined for a time of 3:28.57 to place eighth.
In the field events, Jeanne Le Goff cleared 1.74 meters (5-8.50) to finish second in the women's high jump. Tabea Eitel placed sixth at 1.71m (5-7.25), while Caroline Peterson added a 10th-place finish at 1.66m (5-5.25). Eitel also placed 11th in the women's 100-meter hurdles (14.12).
Texas recorded a sixth-place finish in the women's 4x100-meter relay, as Carleta Bernard, Cooper, Wolfe and Naomi London combined for a time of 43.35.
The Longhorns conclude a split-squad weekend, with the distance group also closing competition at the Bryan Clay Invitational in Azusa, Calif. on Saturday night.
Texas returns to action April 24-25 at the Michael Johnson Invitational in Waco, Texas.
Players Mentioned
