Alumni Report: Morolake Akinosun Burns Track For #1 Time In The World

Apr 05, 2016

[transcript by U of Texas sports information dept.]

AUSTIN, Texas - The excitement of the 89^th Nike Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays was building to the conclusion of the 4x400 meter relays and they did not disappoint. Texas came away with a dominating win on the women's side and the men narrowly missed winning one of the tightest races of the week while shattering the school record.

Another record-performance came from senior Morolake Akinosun in the 100 meters as she became the only woman to win three straight titles in the 100 meters at the Texas Relays.

In total over the four days of action at this year's meet the Longhorns tallied six victories and two school records. Over those four days more than 7,500 athletes competed and more than 43,000 fans watched the exciting action.

"With the way that the weather was yesterday - James Barr as the Meet Director this is in my opinion the best meet that he has put together. Our facility guys went above and beyond and it makes our job a lot easier so that we can focus on our team. It helps to have performances like we did from Wednesday on. When we are able to have meets like this - where we have over 7,500 athletes compete - there's a ton that goes into it. Anything that I can do to help bolster the best athletes in America and their efforts, we will do."

Saturday's 4x400 action got the crowd of 21,006 off its feet as the Longhorns battled LSU's men around the track. The two teams exchanged the lead a couple of times over the final two legs, but it was the Tigers that edged out the Longhorns with a time of 3:01.83. Texas ran 3:02.18 with the group of Chris Irvin, Byron Robinson, AJ Bailey and Zack Bilderback besting the previous record of 3:03.33 set back in 1983.

"To end the meet like that is what the fans come for," said Head Coach Mario Sategna. "You have the local Westlake product in Chris Irvin, who leads it off, and then a senior in Zack Bilderback bringing it home. We had some phenomenal performances today."

Despite the disappointment of being unable to catch LSU on the final straightaway, Bilderback said he and his teammates were proud of the record and have their sights set on lowering their time even more.

"We knew coming off indoors that we were going to break that record because we were close at indoors already," Bilderback said. "This is our first time running the relays (outdoors), so to break it right now is a good sign."

The women's team of Chrisann Gordon, Ariel Jones, Morolake Akinosun and Courtney Okolo clocked 3:26.54 for an easy win as Okolo pulled away on the anchor lap. The time ranks sixth in school history and currently leads the nation.

Texas' only other win on the final day of the meet came in the 100 meters with Akinosun winning in a blazing 11.07 seconds. The race was run with a legal wind and is No. 1 in the world this season. The win also makes Akinosun the only woman to ever win the 100 meters three straight years at the Texas Relays. She is the second woman to win three times overall as well.

"I wouldn't say it was my expectation, but it was definitely the goal," Akinosun said of winning the 100 meters a third time. "I realized midway through the training season that I could be the first one ever to do that. We've had some of the greatest track & field athletes come through both the University of Texas and this meet, so it's incredible for me."

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March 27, 2016 - April 02, 2016