Charlie Thomas Invitational
Kats compete in Charlie Thomas Invitational
2/9/2026 8:24:00 PM | Track & Field
COLLEGE STATION – The Sam Houston indoor track and field team delivered a strong showing at the Charlie Thomas Invitational hosted by Texas A&M at the R.A. Murray Fasken Indoor Track facility.
The Bearkats were led on the track by Xzamion Parker, who captured first place in the 60-meter sprint with a time of 6.75 seconds after running 6.82 in the preliminaries. In the mile, Edwin Rivera finished 15th overall, posting a time of 4:12.14.
Caleb Anthony turned in one of the meet's top performances for Sam Houston, earning a sixth-place finish in the 800 meters with a personal-best 1:49.87. In the sprints, Omarion Ferguson placed 15th in the 200 meters at 21.45, while Joshua Sims-Waddy recorded a personal-best 48.53 to finish 16th in the 400 meters. The men's 4x400 relay team also posted a season-best 3:14.36, finishing ninth overall.
In the field events, Dylan Truss finished fourth in the pole vault after clearing 5.00 meters (16-4¾). Parker Brown tied for 11th in the event with a personal-best clearance of 4.75 meters, while Matthew Jackson recorded a season-best 6.97 meters (22-10½) to place 13th in the long jump. Nikos Fotinopoulos added a 16th-place finish in the shot put with a throw of 16.58 meters (54-4¾).
On the women's side, Sam Houston posted several standout performances highlighted by personal and season bests. Ayana Mallard-Smith tied her season best in the 60 meters with a time of 7.68 and followed with a personal-best 24.73 in the 200 meters.
In the middle distances, freshman Nora Ryan placed ninth in the 800 meters, recording a personal-best time of 2:10.54. The Bearkats showed depth in the 400 meters, where Jayden Piper ran a personal-best 55.49, Amaya Kennison-Jenkings posted a personal-best 56.69, Alyssa Jolly finished with a personal-best 57.15, and Emmanuella Squire rounded out the group with a personal-best 57.97.
In the field events, Nia Thompson earned an eighth-place finish in the long jump with a mark of 5.87 meters (19-3¼). Dannette Haygood placed 13th in the triple jump at 11.93 meters, while freshman Jatoryia Barns finished just behind with a personal-best 11.77 meters. Breanna Murphy recorded a 10th-place finish in the shot put, throwing 14.03 meters.
Distance runners also turned in strong performances, led by Zerah Martinez, who finished 13th in the 3,000 meters with a personal-best 10:32.25. Sophia Phillip posted a personal-best 5:00.06 in the mile to place 18th overall, while Bailey Cheshire also recorded a personal best, crossing the line in 5:08.44.
The women's 4x400 relay team closed the meet with a season-best 3:44.37, earning an eighth-place finish.
Players Mentioned
