Not very impressed with the teams participating in the Alumni Meet this weekend. Other than USC at the 44 Farms Meet, we typically don't have very good teams participate in our meets. Why?

We had some good meets in 2019, but we got hit by inclement weather. COVID ruined the 2020 and 2021 seasons. After that we pulled back on our hosting schedule.

Very astute and valid question.

2 quick observations:
(1) Competition at this weekend's meet is not that strong!
(2) Blake Harris is not entered in any events! If he does't have a good conference meet he won't make it to the NC's in the multi's and that will hurt!

Anyone else curious about recruiting 2 sport atheltes, track/football since the last 2 ended up transferring?

I wouldn't recruit any. The message seems clear from football.

I was thinking about that also!! I really hope he's okay

Was about to add has a 21.14 200, 45.7 400, and 1:50 800! He came to the right place!!

2:06 800 for Sophia Bendet yesterday!! Just a week after her 3 state championships!

Great to see Pat Henry might have found his groove again! These are some really great recruits with scoring potential

taylorswift13_ said:

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Future Aggie Lily Carlson vaulted 14'0.25 to win her Pennsylvania State Meet!!! Her best was 13'6 when she signed!

Her vault is on slide 3 https://instagr.am/p/DKApX3OOOpA

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Tswift, how's the team looking next year. Seems to be great balance on the recruiting side for both teams. Excited for Taylor Nunez

Georgia has two high school commits with 100 PR's under 9.9

taylorswift13_ said:

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2025-2026 Way too Early Women's Team Outlook

So looking ahead to next year because I know that's what a lot of us and especially I love to do… our women's team will be loaded and I mean loaded! We all knew coming into this season that our men's team was full of seniors and all Americans. Next year we will have a strong women's squad.

Starting with sprints, our dynamic duo will be back and will be absolutely stronger. Jasmine Montgomery and Camryn Dickson who are versatile enough to go 100-200-400-4x100-4x400. What more can you say about this duo and all they've done this year. Our 2nd and 4th leg of our sprint relay. And just wait because we're bringing in one of the fastest, if not fastest sprinters from the high school ranks in Taylor Nunez. She is the most decorated UIL Track and Field Athlete of all time with 16 state gold medals. Yes 16, 4 every year. She can make some finals in the 100/200 and will bolster our 4x100 like crazy. If we had her now, we probably win today. We'll also add Aysha Shaheed who has a 11.32 best and will be an amazing lead off leg on that relay.

We'll also bring back hurdlers Jaiya Covington and Jasmine Harmon. We all know what Jaiya can do, she's the 60 hurdle indoor national champ. Harmon was on her way to making it to Eugene before a fall led her to miss. They're both gonna be unstoppable next year and can both be on that relay. We have no 400 hurdlers on the roster as of yet, that's a position we need to fill.

400 wise we'll return Kennedy Wade and Tyler Lowe who both made the regional meet. We also added a 54 second runner Nia Trammell. We have so much work to do in this 400 group. It's been Pat Henry's bread and butter and we're being out performed and our recruited here heavily. It hurts.

800 wise, we don't have any 800 meter specialist. At least not anyone who can score on a national level. We have not recruited an 800 first type runner. Just long distance runners who can drop down to the 800. However, incoming freshman Sophia Bendet can run extremely well at this distance with her 2:04 personal best. But I think the 1500/1600 will be her primary event. San Juanita Leal is also a really strong 800 runner, but I think when healthy her best race will be the 5k. Maddie Jones and Avery Perkins are long distance runners who can run here.

Distance wise our women will be loaded and return every one aside from Elise Smoot. We'll be lead by Debora Cherono who we know is an amazing steeple runner. She can also run the 1500 really well too. Kennady Fontenot will be in the same category as Cherono and she can run a strong 5000 as well. Megan Roberts will be a monster the next 3 years in the 5000/10000. San Juanita Leal was hurt this season but if healthy, she's an amazing amazing talent that can run anywhere from the 800-10000. I'm really excited for her. Shewaye Johnson looked great at the end of the season in the 5000/10000. Avery Perkins and Maddie Jones can be great 1500 runners. Emma Little can threaten to make the national meet in the steeplechase and I expect a big jump from Staucie Lees in this event. Sophia Bendet could be one of our best 1500/1600 runners, as will another incoming freshman Alexandra Fox. Her high school teammate Ava Cole will be a strong 3k/5k runner. I'm excited for what this team will do in the fall.

We also return Winny Bii who could possibly win the triple jump today. We could use some more horizontal jump help behind her. We have some solid triple jumpers, but are lacking in the long jump. However Taylor Nunez is a consistent 20+ foot long jumper and has a 21'0 jump. Sofia Iakushina can also be a national contender in the long jump as well. High jump we return Milenna Chevallier who I hope can go 6+ next year. Pole Vault wise we lose Heather Abadie but we add freshman Lily Carlson who's gone 14 feet and Magdalena Rauter who's gone 13'9.

Throws wise we return Abigail Martin and Carlie Weiser. Martin scored in the discus last year but failed to qualify this year, hopefully she bounces back strong. Weiser was the prize recruit from the 2023 class. Hopefully things click for her as in upperclassmen. Javelin wise we have Katelyn Fairchild, one of the nation's best who missed all of this season. Her sister McKenzie had a great season but didn't advance to nationals despite being ranked up high. We also return Ana De La Garza and added a solid freshman in Emily Harbach. Hopefully we can add a strong shot put and discus thrower that can score nationally, but it's an event we hardly ever recruit elite transfers in or fail to do so. But a healthy Katelyn Fairchild can score at a national meet as can Martin.

Multi wise, we'll have one of the best in the country in Sofia Iakushina. Rylee Lydon was the top recruit in this event two years ago, but had an Achilles in jury that sidelined her during her freshman year. This past season was returning from that injury. Hopefully she's 100% this coming year. We also have Mercy Freeman who red shirted this year and added Bradie Mennegati a talented high school multi. Henry loves this event so I assume we'll add another here.

This women's team will be stacked with Dickson, Montgomery, and Nunez in the sprints. They return a very strong distance group and have weapons in the throws. Returning Winny Bii, one of the best in the nation in the triple jump will be amazing as will returning Sofia Iakushina.

But also summer is the key in this sport as that's when many transfers are moving around, especially grad transfers. With coaching changes and roster changes, during the summer and fall is when you can reload your roster with additional pieces. I really like what we have, we'll be a 400/800 runner or field event star from national title contention. Also we can go overseas and add some big points like our men did with Aleksandr Solovev. It's the name of the game now, so doing that is a must. Let's just see who we add. The publicity we're getting from success of our international athletes is excellent. We have pipelines from Jamaica, Grenada, now Kenya and Russia. Let's keep it going!

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Great update! Looking forward to see what the women's team can do next year.

taylorswift13_ said:

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7'2 High Jumper Etoro Bassey of Katy Tompkins

https://instagr.am/p/DIcyUYOM-Hl

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With that height he would have tied for 2nd place yesterday with 6 other guys. 3 inches from winning vs an Ole Miss junior who won with 7'5".

https://flashresults.ncaa.com/Outdoor/2025/013-1_compiled.htm

2025-2026 Way Too Early Men's Team Outlook

(Insert Will Smith Standing Alone in Room In Fresh Prince of Bel Air Meme)

Oh where did all my friends go! Aggie Legends, All Americans, Conference Champions, National Champions, all gone. Sam Whitmarsh, Auhmad Robinson, Cutler Zamzow, Kimar Farquharson, Cooper Cawthra, Antonie Nortje, Caden Norris, Mason Mangum, Bryce McCray, Ernest Campbell, John Baker, DeVantae Mount, Jonathan Chung, Carter Bajoit… all gone. A legendary class, all done in the maroon and white. So glad they got their national championship.

But with an ever evolving landscapes in collegiate track and field. It's easier to rebuild now, than it may ever be. They will count us out, but it's time we reload. We already added some great impactful transfers, but we're going to have a busy busy summer and fall trying to reload. I'm sure we have lots of scholarships to hand out.

Sprints
We saw the emergence of Ernest Campbell late, but he's transferring to play football at a mid major. We lose Mason Mangum and DeVante Mount as well. However we added some elite speed. We grabbed grad transfer David Foster of Cal. One of the fastest 60 meter sprinters in the country! Who also has a best of 10.14 (10.06w) and 21.14. From the high school ranks we added Richard Lee who has a 10.15 and a 20.49 best, which is crazy as well as, Matthew Maldima who has a 10.11 and 20.89 best. We also return Blake Holland who ran really well as a freshman. That's a strong group, and I'm sure we're not done adding to it.

400 wise we lose a huge chunk of our team. We will return Hossam Hatib who I believe has a year left. We also have Eric Hemphill III, Musa Isah, and Demarco Escobar. We'll see who can step and fill some big shoes. We already added Michael Francois who's the Junior College 400 champion who ran a lifetime best 45.40 to win! This is a great grab for us! And I'm sure we'll add 2-3 more 400 guys. We are 400 Meter U, duh!

Mid Distance
800 U, oh how can we replace you! Sam Whitmarsh my glorious king! Our NCAA Champion! An Aggie Legend. You can't replace someone like him. You also have to replace Kimar Farquharson and Caden Norris. Two All Americans, Two all conference members. 3 amazingly talented runners, who just so happened to be seniors at the same time! Behind them we have mid distance star (and a name the track world will know very well next year) in Luca Santorum. He may be one of the most dynamic 800/1500 runners in the NCAA next year. Look for Grant Ashby to take a big step up. And we signed a 1:49 high schooler Stephon Dodoo. I'm sure we'll be looking to add another. Our 800 coach Paul Ereng is a great recruiter, I'm sure he'll pull in some major talent!

1500 wise, Luca Santorum can take a big step and establish himself as one of the best 1500 runners in the ncaa! Behind him we're bringing in transfer Youssef Asslouj who has a 3:42 PR. He comes from the same NAIA school as Santorum. Thank you Cumberlands We also return Gilbert Rono, Ondrej Gajdos, and Diego Heredia. We also bring in 2 high school recruits Gavin Chapa and Caden Gary who have 4:07 miles.

5000/10000/Steeple
In this group we return some talent. Jack Johnston had himself a great year. Zack Munger was hurt but I expect him to be a big contributor next year as will Carter Gordy. Chapa and Gary will be great 5k runners as well. Victor Kibiego is a great 5k runner, and with a healthy summer and fall will return as one of the best steeplers in the country. Hunter Jackson tan great as well in the steeple.

Hurdle wise, how do you replace Ja'Qualon Scott who was the most dynamic hurdler in the ncaa! We've added Jasiah Rivera who's gone 13.5. But I'm sure we'll be looking to add another. I'd also love a strong 400 hurdler, lots of international talent at the event.

Jumps
Aleksandr Solovev. Please come back lol! If he returns, he can score 20 points for us, 10 indoors and 10 outdoors. If he were to return, oh what a blessing that will be. Sticking with the vaults, we also return Jack Mann III, Leo Bowen, Ryley Klefstad, and Nico Signorelli. What a group.

Triple Jump wise, we'll be strong. Gavin Champ will be back from injury and I bet he'll be scoring nationally. Jayson Shield had an awesome freshman season and Jaden Harris will be back as well. Long jump wise we lose John Baker and Mason Mangum. I believe Khybah Dawson has another year left and it will be huge for us. We also added a dynamic long jumper from UTRGV in Jedidiah Udunna, he has a best of 26 feet. I bet we go after another long jumper in the portal. High jump we added one of the best high school prospects in Etoro Bassey. He has a best of 7'2, and he's jumped that multiple times. Our jumps crew will be sneaky good next year, and I'm sure we'll add more!

Throws wise, we've failed to recruit at this event year after year. Whether we go after anyone is a question on its own. But we have no hammer throwers or shot putters or weight throwers on the roster. We have one discus thrower in Ethan Sanders. Just 1. Javelin wise we return Thomas Jackman but he'll need to take a huge step up. It's a question whether Sam Hankins will return. He's scored nationally before, but like Katelyn Fairchild on the women's side, he missed the entire year due to injury. If he returns, hopefully he's healthy and can get back to his old self! We really need some help in the throes area, lots of it. Hopefully we can add a piece, but aside from javelin. We aren't an elite destination for throwers which hurts my heart…

Multi wise, we return Blake Harris! He's an amazing talent, who unfortunately missed this outdoor season due to injury. He made nationals indoors and was expected to easily make nationals outdoors and possibly even score in my opinion. God willing he's healthy next year! It's a hard event to recruit out of high school in the US, but we added Adam Averett of Aledo who's a young talent! He's a great 400 runner, pole vaulter, and discus thrower. It's also an event we can add talent through the international ranks.

The story of this men's team this off-season will be how we reload. So many holes to fill. After winning a national championship, who wouldn't want to be come part of this team. Many want to run like Sam Whitmarsh, many want to join 400 U. We have the resources, we have the facilities, we have the history, we have the coaching, and we have a national championship, I don't want to hear the word rebuild. I want to reload. Stay tuned thi summer and watch who we add. Soon I'll start a recruiting thread for next years team. The road to back to back national championships has already begun! Talk Soon!

And the thing with Bassey is he's done it on multiple occasions! He is very consistent, with a low low floor! I hope he can get over 7'3 this summer and 7'3+ next year!!! Can't wait!

Also tired of other Aggie sports letting you down, donate to Track and Field!

This is arbitrary, unreasonable, and with transfers coming in, will be entirely in accurate but just for here sme early crack at our relays for next season!

Women
4x100
Aysha Shaeed - Camryn Dickson - Taylor Nunez - Jasmine Montgomery

4x400
Camryn Dickson - Tyler Lowe - Nia Trammel - Jasmine Montgomery

DMR
Debora Cherono - Jasmine Montgomery - Sophia Bendet - San Juanita Leal

Men
4x100
Matthew Maldima - David Foster - Blake Holland - Richard Lee

4x400
Eric Hemphill III - Michael Francois - Musa Isah - Hossam Hatib

DMR
Youssef Asslouj - Hossam Hatib - Stephon Dodoo - Luca Santorum

In dire need of 400 runners!! Will update this at the end of summer and I'm sure it will look entirely different!

taylorswift13_ said:

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Men
4x100
Matthew Maldima - David Foster - Blake Holland - Richard Lee

4x400
Eric Hemphill III - Michael Francois - Musa Isah - Hossam Hatib

DMR
Youssef Asslouj - Hossam Hatib - Stephon Dodoo - Luca Santorum

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Hatib is listed as a senior. Do JUCO years not count anymore?

Correct...Juco years no longer count towards NCAA eligibility.

12th man has him as a junior and he wasn't honored on senior day. So here's hoping he can come back!

shady said:

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Going to really miss JQ. He was such a good hurdler.

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I don't think we'll find someone who can dominate in both events like he did

After final race, historic high school career, Taylor Nunez eyes 2028 Olympics https://t.co/fU4fHW0nUI @CwellRay @cjrecruiting2 @TamekaNunez19 @coach_dolce

— Lupe Nunez (@LupeNunezSA) June 24, 2025

taylorswift13_ said:

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12th man has him as a junior and he wasn't honored on senior day. So here's hoping he can come back!

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I take that as a sign he is coming back. He was listed on 12thman.com as a senior when I posted the question 10 days ago.