TCU track and field’s sprinters seem to be unstoppable this season. From first-year students to seniors, both the men’s and women’s teams have been hustling to shatter school records and earn national rankings.
After the Charlie Thomas Invite at Texas A&M University on Feb. 8, four sprints/hurdles athletes were ranked in the top 25 by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA): first-year student Indya Mayberry (#1, 200m and 60m), sophomore Amari Kiluvia (#16, 60m hurdles), senior Iyana Gray (#25, 200m) and senior Kashie Crockett (#9, 200m).
“Last year was my first year in the Big 12, so I was the underdog,” Crockett said. “I still feel like the underdog, but this year I’ve been dealing more with the mentality of having a target on my back.”
Crockett opened the season strong, running a 20.69 second 200m at the Corky Classic in Lubbock in January. At the Tyson Invitational in Fayetteville, Ark. last week, he beat that time by .01 seconds to claim first in the event.
First-year student Ronnie Kendrick and junior Samarra Monrroy ran top 10 times in program history in the 400m.
Leadership from coaches like Khadevis Robinson and Tyrone Edgar have been the foreground for these successes.
“We have a lot of conversations about what it takes to take their talent to the next level, and it’s just them believing in themselves,” Edgar said. “I believe in them 100%.”
The co-ed nature of the teams’ training drives all athletes to do better, male or female, Crockett said.
Edgar said, “If the girls have a better meet, the guys really want to try and match where the girls are at.”
Hoping to build on their success so far, the Frogs are headed to Texas Tech this weekend for the Big 12 Indoor Track and Field Championship.
Edgar said he believes in the abilities of his athletes and the time they have put into training. They have worked hard to prepare for this weekend and the following national championship meet.
For sprinters like Mayberry and Crockett, they must maintain their spots in the USTFCCCA top 16 to qualify for the NCAA indoor track and field championships happening on March 14 and 15.
