A promising track and field season in Abilene ISD has already started but will get into full swing over the next two weekends as all four teams in the city prepare to host the District 4-5A meet in April at the Shotwell Annex.

The Cooper boys and girls will run at the Decatur Eagle Relays this weekend, while the Abilene High boys and girls will compete at the Buda Johnson Big Cat Relays in Buda (just south of Austin). The four teams will compete on March 1 at the ACU Relays, and will then compete at the San Angelo Relays, scheduled for March 22-23. 

Two weeks after that meet, AISD will host the district championship meet (April 3-4) at Shotwell Annex, setting the stage for the season-ending run that includes the Area meet (April 12) in Lubbock, Region I-5A championships (April 19-20) in Lubbock, and the UIL State Championship meet (May 2-4) in Austin.

The Lady Cougars of Cooper finished fourth at the district meet last year under head coach Kevin Johnson, but they return a slew of talent that could make them a threat to win a district championship in 2024. 

Sprinter Anne-Lie Waite set personal records in the 100 meters (12.05) and 200 meters (24.45) in 2023 and is the defending district champion in both events. She was an area qualifier in those events, as well as the long jump, and was part of the 4×100 relay team that posted a time of 48.80 last year, the best time at Cooper in at least 20 years.

Multi-sport standout Jazlyn Hatcher returns to defend her district championship in the long jump (best of 19-0.5). She qualified for the regional meet in the long jump and triple jump.  Samarah Green – the district champion in the 300-meter hurdles (personal-best of 44.75 in 2023) – also returns, as does Asharee Davis, who qualified for the regional meet in the long jump and triple jump.

The Abilene High girls – under the direction of head coach Rosemary Martin for the 21st season – return district pole vault champion Zoe Vann, who also runs the 800 meters and is on the 4×400 relay. Also returning is senior area and regional qualifier in the 3200 meters, Marin Murray (personal-best 11:55.08 last year). 

Also returning is senior sprinter Malia Williams, who qualified for the regional meet in the 100 meters and as part of the 4×100 relay team. Last year she ran a personal-best 12.14 in the 100 meters, the best time by a Lady Eagle in 20 years. Junior sprinter Harmonie Colomb also returns after qualifying for regional as part of the 4×100 relay team.

The AHS boys were second at last year’s District 4-5A championship meet and second at the area meet, and return a slew of regional qualifiers, including Josh Melson (personal-best 15.14 in the 110 hurdles and 40.86 in the 300 hurdles last year), Andruw Villa (1600 meters and 3200 meters), and district pole vault champion Logan Smith (personal-best 13-0.00 last year).

Three of the four members of the 4×100 and 4×200 relay teams that qualified for the regional meet and reached the final – Brayden Henry, Jaden Jackson, and Ryland Bradford – return in 2024. Jaden Jackson ran a 10.77 in the 100 meters last year, the best time by an Eagle in at least the last 20 years.

The Cooper boys, under head coach Levi Keith, have one of the top sprinters in the region in junior Daniel Bray, the district runner-up in both the 100 and 200 meters and part of the Cougars’ 4×100 and 4×200 relay teams. Bray’s best time in the 100 meters is a wind-aided 10.45, and 22.39 in the 200 meters. He was part of a 4×100 relay team that ran a season-best 42.53 in 2023.

Jaylen Parker – also a member of the Cougars’ 4×100 and 4×200 relay teams – also returns for the Cougars. Senior Adam Gutierrez returns in the 800 meters and 1600 meters.

COOPER GIRLS 

Head coach: Kevin Johnson, 3rd year as Cooper head coach

Last season:  4th in district

Top Returners (name, classification, events, 2023 honors)

  • Jazlyn Hatcher, sr, long jump, triple jump, 100 meters, and 4×100 and 4×200 relays. District champion in the long jump. Area qualifier in the long jump, triple jump, and 4×100 relay. Regional qualifier in the long jump and triple jump.
  • Anne-Lie Waite, sr, 100 meters, 200 meters, 400 meters, 4×100, and 4×200 relays. District champion in the 100 meters and 200 meters. Area qualifier in the long jump, 100 meters, 200 meters, and 4×100 relay. Regional qualifier in the 100 meters and 200 meters.
  • Asharee Davis, jr, jumps and 4×200 relay. Area and regional qualifier in the long jump and triple jump.
  • Samarah Green, sr, 300 hurdles and 4×100 and 4×200 relays. District champion in the 300-meter hurdles.

Top Newcomers:

  • Lila Murrillo, fr
  • Alexys Cheney, fr
  • Peyton Ellis, fr

What Coach Johnson says about his team: “This year’s group of athletes is more balanced in sprints, jumps, and distance. This team is full of multisport kids who have a passion for getting better. I’m excited to see what these athletes can do this season.”

ABILENE HIGH GIRLS

Head coach: Rosemary Martin (26th year in AISD), 21st year at Abilene High

Last season’s results (district, area, etc.): 5th at District 4-5A championship meet 

Top Returners (name, classification, events, 2023 honors):

  • Marin Murray, sr, distance, area and regionalqualifier in the 3200 meters.
  • Zoe Vann, jr, distance/mid-distance, area qualifier in pole vault, 800 meters, and 4×400 relay.
  • Malia Williams, sr, sprints, 100, 200, 4×100, and 4×200 relays, area qualifier in 100, 4×100, and 4×200; regional qualifier 100, and 4×100.
  • Adrianha Peeples, sr, 100-meter and 300-meter hurdles, area qualifier in 300h.
  • Jermanie Williams, jr, sprinter 100, 200, 4×00 and 4×200 relays, area qualifier in the 200 , 4×100, and 4×200; regional qualifier 200, and 4×100
  • Harmonie Colomb, jr, sprinter, 100, 4×100 and 4×200 relays; area qualifier  in the 4×100 relay and 4×200 relay; regional qualifier in the 4×100 relay
  • Damaya Perez, sr, hurdler/high jumper

Top Newcomers (name, classification, events):

  • Emily Brumley, soph, distance
  • London Woodard, fr, distance
  • Abigail Weatherby, fr, 100, 200, 4×100, and 4×200 relays

What Coach Martin says about her team: “The girls have been working hard. We had our first practice meet against Wylie and Cooper on Feb. 1, and we saw some good things, and we’re excited about this season. More than anything, we’re excited to be running in Abilene several times this year: March 1 at ACU, March 8 at the Shotwell Annex, and the District 4-5A championship meet, April 3-4, at the Annex.”

ABILENE HIGH BOYS 

Head Coach: Justin Gorman

2023 team results: 2nd place at District 4-5A championship; 2nd place at Area meet 

Top Returners (name, classification, events, 2023 honors)

  • Josh Melson, sr, 110 Hurdles, 300 Hurdles, High Jump, Triple Jump – Regional Finalist in both 110 & 300 Hurdles
  • Andruw Villa, sr, 3200m, 1600m – Regional Finalist in both events
  • Logan Smith, sr, Pole Vault – District Champion Pole Vault
  • 4 X 100 Relay & 4 X 200 Relay – Regional Finalist with 3 of 4 returners – Brayden Henry, soph;  Jaden Jackson, soph; and Ryland Bradford, jr.

What Coach Gorman says about his team: “We have some very talented kids and a lot that work really hard.  Our 400-meter runners and throwers have improved significantly, and we are developing some young talented jumpers.  I expect us to compete for a district championship and increase our number of area and regional qualifiers.”

COOPER BOYS

Head Coach: Levi Keith, 3rd year as Cooper head coach

Last Season: 4th at District 4-5A championship meet

Top Returners:

  • Christian Rico, sr, 4×100, 4×200, and 4×400 relays. Regional qualifier in 2023
  • Jaylen Parker, sr, 4×100, 4×200, and 4×400 relays. Regional qualifier in 2023
  • Daniel Bray, jr, 100 meters, 200 meters, 4×100 and 4×200 relays. Regional qualifier
  • Lucas David, sr, Discus, Shot put. Area qualifier in 2023
  • Adam Gutierrez, sr, 800 meters, 1600 meters. Area qualifier in 2023

Top Newcomers

  • Peyton Ewing, soph
  • Dycin Davis, soph
  • Kayden Bryan, soph
  • Karson Martinez, fr
  • Zavion Alexander, jr

What Coach Keith says about his team: “I think we have a great mix of young athletes to go with the older guys that know what it takes to be good. I can’t wait to get started and see what these young men can accomplish this year.”