April 23-25, 2026 | Waxahachie, TX — On their home track, under championship pressure and in front of their own crowd, the Nelson University Lions didn't just compete, they made history.
For the first time in program history, Nelson claimed both the men's and women's Sooner Athletic Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships, completing a dominant three-day performance at the Lions Athletic Complex.
The Lions men's squad powered to 141 total points, while the women's team edged out a dramatic finish with 131 points, narrowly defeating Oklahoma City by a single point.
It was a total program victory that had depth, versatility, and championship composure on full display.
Nelson's dominance began with the grind of the multi-events, where athletes stacked points across disciplines.
Hudson Woods delivered a standout performance in the decathlon, finishing 2nd overall with 5,554 points, contributing valuable team points early in the meet.
Close behind, Josiah Wentrcek added another strong finish, placing 4th in the decathlon with 5,260 points, highlighted by his 10.23m mark in the shot put and consistent performances across events.
On the women's side, Skylar Morris anchored the heptathlon with a 2nd place finish totaling 3,459 points, showcasing her versatility across hurdles, jumps, throws, and middle-distance racing.
These early points on day one set the tone
Nelson's speed units delivered when it mattered most.
The men's 4x100 relay team of Hagen Darney, Hunter Morgan, Darryn Weaver, and Gregory Guidry exploded to a first-place finish in 40.94, securing a crucial championship victory on the track.
On the women's side, the 4x100 relay squad (Khloe Johnson, Leanna Jackson, Skylar Morris, Bella Jeffreys) earned a 3rd place finish (49.37), adding key points in a tight team race.
In the 400 meters, Leanna Jackson led Nelson with a section win (1:01.58), while teammates Elena Charping and Bella Jeffreys added depth in the event.
Nelson's distance crew brought toughness and consistency across championship races.
In the opening night 10,000 meters, Analia Menendez (46:51.94) and Betzaidy Najera (47:11.70) delivered solid finishes to get the Lions on the board early.
The women's 4x800 relay team (Miranda Sosa, Kylie Adams, Jessica Otwell, Elena Charping) secured a 3rd place finish, continuing to stack points in distance events.
Meanwhile, Joseph Helm (4:18.90) and Jesus Flores (4:22.47) paced the men's effort in the 1500 meters, contributing valuable mid-distance scoring.
In the field, Nelson was well represented.
Leading the charge was Ishmeal Ealoms, who delivered one of the most dominant performances of the meet. Ealoms was crowned Men's Individual Champion, totaling 28 points, powered by:
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Discus – 47.79m
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Hammer Throw – 48.37m
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Shot Put – 14.40m
His multi-event dominance anchored the men's team title.
But the wins didn't stop there.
On the women's side, Jaylyn Kechter claimed a conference title in the javelin (38.52m), while Alyssa O'Malley cleared 2.93m to win the pole vault, delivering crucial points in a meet decided by just one point.
In the men's pole vault, Jaxon Salzman soared to a championship mark of 4.20m, adding another first-place finish to Nelson's total.
Supporting performances continued across the field:
Across the board, Nelson's ability to turn field events into victories and not just placements proved to be the difference.
From hurdles to relays to distance races, the Lions' depth was the difference.
Athletes like Reese Perkins (3000m steeple), Jessica Otwell (1500m), and Genesis Huerta consistently added placements that kept Nelson ahead in the team standings.
Every event mattered. Every point counted.
At the center of it all was leadership. Head Coach Robert Herrera was named:
Guiding the Lions to a historic sweep.
The result wasn't just wins, for it was a statement of identity. A program built on development, toughness, and belief delivered its biggest moment yet.
Three days.
Dozens of events.
One historic outcome.
Nelson didn't just host the championship, they owned it.
With multiple event champions, a Men's Individual Champion, and a Coach of the Year sweep, the Lions are not just champions but now big time contributors to the new standard in the Sooner Athletic Conference.
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.
