On the line runners get set, a shot rings out and the race begins. Whether athletes are racing the 100, 400, or 1600 meter race Texas High Track athletes push to the finish line.
Feb. 28, 2025, Texas High Track and Field hosted their annual Watty Meyers & Kyle Preston Relays. Previously the meet was only known as Watty Meyers, but due to Coach Kyle Prestons’ passing on Nov. 27, 2023, Head Coach Astin Greer wanted to honor Preston’s memory through this year’s track meet. The Tigers placed first in all divisions and first in most of their events.
“I ran the 100-meter dash [and the 100-meter relay]… for field events, I competed in long jump and triple jump and placed first in all those events,” Junior Sereniti Collins said. “Track just isn’t about the physical ability of being able to run, it’s also about the mentality you have in order to fight through to the finish line.”
While runners like Collins contributed greatly towards the win, senior varsity athlete, Karnell Jolly accomplished 20 points for the team by placing first in the open 400 and the 400-meter relay. Jolly’s injury pushed him to work harder and cross the finish line.
“The hardest part of training was trying to bounce back from an injury I had last year,” Jolly said. “It felt good, the environment was great and I feel that it motivated me to run the way I did, I just knew I couldn’t lose.”
Sometimes fresh starts such as coming back from an injury can apply to new freshmen looking to show their worth. Junior Varsity runner, Freshman Madelyn Caroll did exactly this by getting second in the 800-meter and 1600-meter races.
“Because I’m at a higher level I see my races differently now,” Carroll said. “My mindset going into Watty Meyers was to win and I just asked myself how bad do I want it.”
The meet ran smoothly allowing athletes to focus on their events and worry about the other competition. Meanwhile, coaches and officials worked diligently to keep the meet going quickly throughout the day.
“The execution of the schedule we set made it as efficient of a meet that we’ve ever hosted,” Greer said. “We limited the number of teams and the TISD coaches worked diligently to keep the meet on schedule.”
Together athletes, coaches and parents put effort towards getting better not only for themselves but for the track team as a whole. While many people only see the results, the true grit that goes into practicing every day is what turns a team into champions.
“Consistency has been the most effective tool for the Tigers, [two years ago] on the outside looking in I’m sure it seemed like the program was at rock bottom,” Greer said. “I sold a vision to 50 kids in the ninth and 10th grade of what we could be if we stayed on course and kept showing up to win, we heard the negative comments about our team, we embraced it and kept working, look at us now.”
