The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
98th Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays
Track & Field collects titles on day three of 98th Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays presented by Truist
04.03.2026 | Texas Relays, Track & Field / Cross Country
Birdow, Blackwood, Daniel claim titles, Smallwood No. 1 national mark to lead Friday performances.
AUSTIN, Texas – Texas delivered one of its strongest days of the meet Friday, highlighted by multiple event titles, nation-leading performances and historic marks during the third day of the 98th Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays presented by Truist at Mike A. Myers Stadium.
Amelliah Birdow headlined the day with a victory in the women's 400-meter hurdles, running a personal-best 55.37 to claim the title and move to No. 5 on Texas' all-time list. The effort marked the 16th-best performance in UT history. Mackenzie Collins posted a fifth-place result in 57.12, while Anouk Krause-Jentsch finished seventh with a personal-best 57.77.
On the men's side, Kody Blackwood added another title in the 400-meter hurdles with a winning time of 49.58. Chris Brinkley Jr. placed third with a personal-best time of 50.06, moving into the Texas all-time ranks at the 10th-fastest performer in the event in program history.
Kelsey Daniel added another Longhorn victory with a win in the long jump with a leap of 7.89 meters (25-10.75), earning the win on his first jump of the competition then matching it on his sixth and final jump, while Mathis Vaitulukina placed fourth in the at 7.65 meters (25-1.25)
Kendrick Smallwood turned in one of the top performances in program history in the 110-meter hurdles prelims, clocking 13.24 to post the fastest time in the nation this season and rank No. 3 all-time at Texas. He advanced to Saturday's final. He now holds the 12 fastest 110mH times in program history.
Texas dominated the women's 100-meter prelims, recording the top two times on the day as Abigail Wolfe (11.01) and Carleta Bernard (11.04) to each advanced to the final. Jayden Jones also qualified for the men's 100-meter final, running 10.10 for the seventh-fastest time of the day.
In relay action, Texas advanced all four squads to Saturday's finals, led by the women's 4x100-meter relay of Bernard, Elise Cooper, Wolfe and Naomi London, as the group posted the fastest time of the day at 43.14. The men's 4x100-meter relay of Smallwood, Neo Modibe, Jones and John Rutledge won its heat in 39.94 to advance with the fifth-fastest qualifying time.
The Longhorns also qualified both 4x400-meter relays for the finals. The women's team of Elise Cooper, Ramiah Elliott, Holly Okuku and Bayleigh Minor posted the top time in the field at 3:34.15, while the men's quartet of Sihle Mahlangu, Logan Popelka, Waly Bathily and Conor Kelly clocked 3:06.77 to secure a spot.
In the field events, Texas added a win from Benjamin Shue, who claimed the discus title with a throw of 54.28 meters (178-01), and Caroline Peterson finished runner-up in the high jump with a personal-best 1.72 meters (5-7.75).
The men's distance medley relay of Joaquin De La Cruz, Sihle Mahlangu, Zain Hamdani and Hudson Bennett closed out the day for Texas placing fourth with a time of 9:46.78.
Texas also recognized its senior class during Friday's action, honoring Blackwood, Brinkley, Daniel, Eliott,Popelka, Rutledge, Smallwood, Sophie Atkinson, Natasja Beijen, Nathanael Berhane, Lucas Bons, Annie Christie, Hudson Heikkinen, Elizabeth Pickett, and Emmanuel Sgouros as part of Senior Night festivities at Mike A. Myers Stadium.
Competition at the Texas Relays concludes Saturday at Mike A. Myers Stadium, beginning at 8:15 a.m. with the high school girls' 3200m. The Longhorns will get underway at 10:40 a.m. in the women's 4x800m.
Players Mentioned
