May 18, 2011

HOUSTON - State Championship track and field meets occurred all across the nation last week and many current Houston signees fared very well at their competitions. Many of the incoming recruits rank not only among their state's best but also among the best in the nation.

"We have a great group of kids and they are all very talented," said head coach Leroy Burrell. "I'm proud of our staff, we have worked really hard all year evaluating kids and feel we have a real strong group coming in. These incoming kids are great students and great people; they will fit in well with our team. They're going to fit in well with what we try to accomplish here at the University of Houston and I can't wait to get them on campus and start training with them."

OUT OF STATE
Dominique Charles (Baton Rouge, La.) took state crowns in the triple jump (11.85m/38-10.75), 100m hurdles (14.16w) and as a member of the class 5A record-setting 4x100m (47.13) relay team. Charles also finished fourth in the 300m hurdles.

Charles and her teammates of Baton Rouge High School earned the title as state champions, and Charles would have placed eighth by herself with the points she secured (24).

Darius Smith (Chicago, Ill.) earned three Chicago Public School championships as he took first in the 100m (10.70), 200m (21.73) and long jump (6.70m/22-0). His 200m dash time is the fastest in the state. His state finals are this weekend.

TEXAS RECRUITS
Jon Horton (Copperas Cove) took both Texas 5A titles in the long (7.44m/24-5.25) and triple jump (15.58m/51-1.75). He ranks as the No. 3 triple jumper in the nation and although his best long jump times were wind-aided, he'd rank high among the nation's best in that event as well.

"Horton is a guy who we think can step in and become Chris Carter 2.0."

Samantha Taylor (Corrigan Camden) took her fourth straight 2A shot put state title while also scoring points in the discus throw (32.94m/108-1) to earn seventh place.

Dominique Charles (Pearland Dawson) took second in the Texas 400m finals with his 47.50 time. He ranks No. 19 in the nation in the event.

Two future Cougars battled in the Texas 5A 800m run as Anthony Coleman (Alief Elsik) and Yonas Tesfai (Westbury) took fifth and eighth place, respectively. Coleman notched a 1:53.85 time and Tesfai came across the line at 1:56.20. Both runners rank in the Top-22 in the nation in the event.

Alexis Vick (Brandeis) competed in the 800m (2:17.22) on the women's side and earned seventh place.

Alicia Perkins (Alief Elsik) earned points in two events as she placed third in the 100m hurdles (13.95 and sixth in the long jump (5.50m/18-0.75). Perkins ranks No. 10 in the nation in the hurdles, and would be in the top 10 in the long jump if her regional winning jump was not wind aided (2.4).

She is the second Cougar committed from Alief Elsik High School (Anthony Coleman).

Kiersten Brewer (Longview) was a finalist in the 100m (11.73) and 200m (24.35). Her 100m state time put her at No. 9 in the nation while her allowed 200m time at regionals ranks her in the Top 30.

Khalysia Mayo (Spring Westfield) tied for first in the 5A competition but took until her third jump to notch the height of 1.75m/5-9 and had to settle for third place. Her PR stands an inch above that mark and qualifies as the fourth best in the nation.

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