A tradition more than 100 years old returns to the University of Texas on Wednesday when the 98th Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays begin. The meet will bring more than 5,000 athletes to Austin, spanning high school, collegiate and professional competition.
Founded in 1925, the Texas Relays have become one of the nation’s premier outdoor meets, and this year’s edition gives Texas men’s track and field another chance to open the outdoor season on a positive note on a major stage in Austin.
After returning from the NCAA Indoor National Championships two weeks ago, senior Kendrick Smallwood, graduate Kelsey Daniel and junior Michael Piñones enter the weekend as three of Texas’ top names to watch.
Smallwood is set to compete in the 110-meter hurdles and is also listed on Texas’ 4×100-meter relay. After breaking the program record in the 60-meter hurdles during the indoor season and finishing on the podium at the SEC Indoor Championships, Smallwood gives Texas one of its best chances to stand out in a marquee event. For Smallwood, those results start long before race day.
“Everything that you do in a race that’s elite is done in practice,” Smallwood said.
Daniel will compete in both the long jump and triple jump after an indoor season that included two podium finishes at the Southeastern Conference Championships. His versatility gives Texas one of its strongest field-event threats heading into the weekend.
Piñones adds another storyline in the field events. He is entered in the shot put alongside teammates sophomore Shaiquan Dunn and freshman Benjamin Shue, and his NCAA indoor championship experience makes him another proven option for the Longhorns.
With Daniel taking on the jumps and Piñones in the throws, Texas has a chance to make an impact outside of its sprint events. The Longhorns’ weekend will not hinge on just these three athletes, with several other races offering chances for Texas to stand out.
Texas’ 4×400-meter relay will be one of the top races to watch, with the Longhorns set to face Baylor, Houston, Ohio State, TCU and Texas Tech. Texas also brings depth into the short sprints, with multiple entries in the 100-meter and 200-meter and a strong 4×100 relay lineup that includes Smallwood, junior Jayden Jones, sophomore Troy Mason and senior John Rutledge. That level of competition is part of what Smallwood embraces most.
“I love a challenge,” Smallwood said. “I love somebody that’s going to push me to do great things.”
At a meet built on tradition, Texas men enter this year’s Texas Relays with proven national experience and a home-track opportunity to build momentum.
If Smallwood, Daniel and Piñones can set the tone, the Longhorns could come out of this weekend with an early outdoor season statement.