Waxahachie, TX (June 16, 2026)- On April 23-25, 2026, Nelson University hosted the Sooner Athletic Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships at the Lions Athletic Complex, where the Lions took home both the Men’s and Women’s Conference titles for the first time in program history with team scores of 141 and 131.

The Lions competed over three days, adding points early through Hudson Woods’ second-place overall finish in the decathlon, and Josiah Wentrcek coming in right behind him at fourth place for the men. On the women’s side, Skylar Morris delivered an outstanding performance, scoring a second-place heptathlon finish.

Nelson had key performances from different sprint and relay runners throughout the meet, highlighted by an impressive first-place finish in the men’s 4×100 relay from Hagen Darney, Hunter Morgan, Darryn Weaver, and Gregory Guidry with a time of 40.94. The women’s 4×100 relay team of Khloe Johnson, Leanna Jackson, Skylar Morris, and Bella Jeffreys placed third with a time of 49.37. In the 400-meter race, Leanna Jackson led Nelson with a section win in 1:01.58, adding crucial points to the team’s efforts. Reese Perkins also added valuable points by stepping in to help the women’s 4×400 relay at the last minute.

Nelson’s distance runners added valuable points across each race. Analia Menendez and Betzaidy Najera ran the 10,000-meter race with respective times of 46:51.94 and 47:11.70. The women’s 4×800 added depth on the track. The team of Miranda Sosa, Kylie Adams, Jessica Otwell, and Elena Charping secured a third-place finish. Kylie Adams also contributed additional points in the 1500-meter race. On the men’s side, the Lions did not score in the 1500-meter race but added key points in the 4×800-meter relay, where Joseph Helm, Dominic Todd, Ezra Perez, and Jesus Flores delivered a scoring performance.

During the field events, the Lions had important wins on both sides, stacking up first-place points. Ishmeal Ealoms had a dominant performance and was named the Men’s Individual Champion after scoring 28 total points towards Nelson’s success. Ealoms’ first-place finishes in discus (47.79m), hammer throw (48.37m), and shot put (14.40m) anchored the Lions’ success in the throwing section.

The Lions continued to build their success through Jaxon Salzman, as the men’s team swept the pole vault with a 1-2-3 finish, highlighted by Salzman securing first place with a mark of 4.20m. On the women’s side, Jaylyn Kechter claimed the conference title in the javelin with a throw of 38.52m, with Autumn Crouch finishing second behind her, and Alyssa O’Malley added another first place in pole vaulting by clearing 2.93m. Robyn Puente also delivered crucial performances on the track, finishing runner-up in the 400-meter hurdles and scoring additional points in the 100-meter hurdles.

Solidifying the Lions’ position on the field, Kai Taylor earned a third-place finish in the hammer throw (35.80m) alongside multiple athletes contributing points across events.

Nelson University’s success wasn’t only defined by event winners, but consistent scoring across the track and field. Contributions across events reinforced the team’s depth, proving every athlete’s performance mattered in this historic sweep.

At the center of the Lions’ success was Head Coach, Robert Herrera, who was named the SAC Men’s Coach of the Year and SAC Women’s Coach of the Year. Under his leadership, he guided both programs to a championship sweep with one of the most complete performances in Nelson history.

The Lions set a new standard of excellence in the Sooner Athletic Conference, with multiple individual champions, Coach of the Year honors in both programs, contributions across every event, and a program sweep on their home track.

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About Nelson University 

Nelson University is a private Christian university located just 30 minutes south of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex in Waxahachie, Texas. Founded in 1927, the university offers more than 70 undergraduate degrees, both on campus and online. Committed to integrating faith and learning, Nelson prepares students to fulfill their God-given callings in a Spirit-empowered community. For more information, visit www.nelson.edu or call 1-888-937-7248