Kats open outdoor season at Clyde Hart Classics

Friday, March 27

Waco

Clyde Hart Classic

Photo by: Fernando Giron

Kats open outdoor season at Clyde Hart Classics

3/30/2026 9:30:00 AM | Track & Field

WACO — The Sam Houston Bearkats outdoor track and field team kicked off their season on Saturday at the Clyde Hart Classic, hosted by Baylor at the Clyde Hart Track and Field Stadium.

Sam Houston opened the meet with a strong showing across both track and field events, highlighted by multiple podium finishes and a dominant performance in the sprints. Xzamion Parker led the way on the track, capturing first place in the 100 meters with a time of 10.32, while Tyriq Brunn followed with a third-place finish at 10.37. The men's 4x400 relay team of Joshua Sims-Waddy, Christian Rohlack, Omarion Ferguson, and Caleb Anthony also turned in a standout performance, placing third with a time of 3:09.81.

In the field events, Mateo Ortiz recorded a pair of solid performances, earning second in the shot put with a mark of 16.05 meters and placing 11th in the discus at 44.34 meters. Madeline Ackers added a second-place finish in the women's shot put (13.46m) and competed in the hammer throw, placing 10th. Nikos Fotinopoulos impressed in the throws as well, taking fourth in the hammer (58.95m) and 12th in the discus.

The Bearkats saw additional success in the jumps, as Dannette Haygood placed third in the triple jump (12.06m), while Kaleb Kiser finished fifth on the men's side (14.59m). Kyle Kiser added a seventh-place mark in the long jump (7.01m), and Taniah Coleman recorded an 11th-place finish (5.64m). In the vertical events, Parker Brown (5th, 4.98m) and Dylan Truss (7th, 4.88m) led the way in the pole vault, while Jeremiah Jackson cleared 1.90 meters in the high jump.

On the distance side, Alicia Galvez delivered a podium finish in the 3000-meter steeplechase, placing third with a time of 11:48.16. Bryson Meredith (4th, 15:36.45) and Kelvin Sarfo (7th, 15:52.14) paced the men in the 5000 meters, while Ellie Galan placed fifth in the women's race. In the 1500 meters, Nora Ryan led the women with a 10th-place finish (4:43.69), followed closely by Sophia Phillip.

The Bearkats also competed in a full slate of sprint and middle-distance events. In the 800 meters, Jacob Zimmerman (1:58.04) and Klever Torres (1:59.26) led the men, while Lauren Johansson paced the women. Davonne Fossie recorded a top-10 finish in the 110-meter hurdles (14.83), and Ikenna Opara posted a 20th-place finish in the 200 meters (21.89).

The Bearkats will head west to compete in the Charles Austin Classic, beginning Thursday, April 2, at the Bobcat Track and Field Complex in San Marcos.