Abilene, TX | April 9–11, 2026 — Under the West Texas sun and against a deep, competitive field, the Nelson University Track & Field program delivered a weekend packed with statement performances at the 2026 War Hawk Classic. Competing against a mix of NAIA, NCAA, and junior college talent, the Lions showed they belong in every lane, runway, and circle.
On the men's side, the sprints opened with Darryn Weaver grinding through the 400 meters, clocking in at 55.64 to anchor Nelson's presence in the event. But it was in the distance races where the Lions built momentum. Joseph Helm led the charge in the 1500 meters with a strong 4:20.75 finish, while Ezra Perez (4:33.28) and Emmanuel Franco (4:39.17) added depth and determination across multiple sections
The relay squad brought the heat. Nelson's 4x100 meter team of Hagen Darney, Hunter Morgan, Jared Dotson, and Gregory Guidry sprinted to a fourth-place finish with a time of 41.22, staying competitive in a tight race that came down to the wire . That same explosive speed translated to the field, where Darney soared to a 7.14m mark in the long jump, securing a runner-up finish and one of the top performances of the meet. Not far behind, Brandon Clark added a 7.06m leap for third place, while Latrel Davis chipped in with a 6.88m effort to round out a dominant showing in the sand .
Davis also made his presence known in the high jump, clearing 1.87m, while Clark added a 1.77m mark, demonstrating the Lions' versatility across multiple disciplines .
On the women's side, the Lions matched that energy stride for stride. Bella Jeffreys led Nelson in the 400 meters with a 1:03.05 performance, while Elena Charping followed at 1:08.33, showcasing the team's depth in the sprint group.
In the distance events, Kylie Adams paced the Lions with a 5:15.05 in the 1500 meters, with Betzaidy Najera (5:29.67), Jessica Otwell (5:31.55), and Analia Menendez (5:32.14) forming a tight pack that battled through the Abilene heat .
The hurdles group turned in a strong collective effort, highlighted by Robyn Puente's 16.14 finish and Alyssa O'Malley just behind at 16.15, with multiple Lions placing across sections and continuing to build momentum heading into the final stretch of the season .
The women's relay squad added another highlight, as Khloe Johnson, Leanna Jackson, Skylar Morris, and Bella Jeffreys combined for a 49.83 finish in the 4x100, securing a sixth-place result against a fast field .
Then came one of the biggest moments of the weekend.
Anna Green rose above the competition in the high jump, clearing 1.58 meters to claim first place for the Lions. Alyssa O'Malley added to the event with a strong 1.53m clearance, reinforcing Nelson's strength in the vertical jumps.
And with each mark, each finish line crossed, Nelson continues to sharpen into a team ready to make noise when it matters most.
Nelson University (formerly SAGU) is a private Christian university, established in 1927 by P.C. Nelson. The University is located 30 minutes south of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in Waxahachie, Texas, and offers more than 70 associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees on campus or online. For more information, visit www.nelson.edu or by calling 1-888-YES-NELSON.
