As the 2026 Track and Field season is officially underway, the Mavericks hit the ground running in their first meet of the season on Thursday, Feb. 26. From explosive sprints to hard fought distance runs, the Mavericks are showing how ready they are for the breadth of competition.
Among these competitors is sophomore AJ Gates, a 100-meter dash and 4×100 runner. Participating in both team and individual events, Gates said he prefers the 4×1 over racing solo. The timing of the handoffs and making the correct steps during the race has led to his love for the sport, and hopes to be able to keep running past high school.
“My favorite event to do is the 4×1, because of the rush of the relay and the baton and the team coordination, a lot of it has to do with timing and handoffs,” Gates said. “You have to practice handoffs a lot and your steps to make sure you’re leaving at the correct time and you’re not going and being disqualified, a lot of time and practice. I haven’t decided if I want to do it in college just yet, but it is something I want to do, and that plays a big role in my life.”
Tyson Cox, a junior who competes in the 4×1 and 4×2 races expressed the same view about team coordination and tries to stay focused on that aspect. “I would try to stay [in the mindset], just another day, and then go out there and just run. I’m not worried about other teams. And then running a relay, there’s obviously a lot of team coordination.”
Along with participating in relays, Cox also does the 200 meter dash individually, where he says he is the most competitive.
However, before the running events start, the field events take center stage. One of those participants, sophomore Kristiana Fleming is a shot put and discus thrower. Like many others on the team, Fleming started doing track and field in middle school and was influenced by her coach to try shot put.
Through this influence, and practice throughout high school, shot put has remained Fleming’s favorite event. “I’ve just been really good since middle school, and I never really liked discus. I want to be able to do basketball at college and if I could, track also for shot put.
The Mavericks will continue to put in the work for the remainder of their season hoping to qualify for the State Track and Field meet on May 12 & 16 at Mike A. Myers Stadium on the University of Texas at Austin campus.
