The UH track team returned to action Wednesday, as it takes part in the 82nd Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays at Mike A. Myers Track and Soccer Stadium in Austin.
The meet, which ends Saturday, displays some of the nation’s top track and field athletes.
Last weekend, sophomore Chris Carter, juniors Lamar Delaney, Brandon Hubbard and freshman Tai’shea Reese all set NCAA regional qualifying marks at the Rice Bayou Classic, and they hope to see continued improvement at the Texas Relays.
Carter won the triple jump competition, leaping 15.34-meters (50 feet, 3.94 inches). Delaney set his qualifying mark, jumping 15.10 meters (49 feet, 6.49 inches) in the same event.
Hubbard’s discus toss of 51.95 meters (70 feet, 5.28 inches) and Reese’s 6.12-meter (20 feet, 0.944 inches) leap in the long jump earned both athletes a spot in the regionals.
The women’s 1600-meter relay team of junior Quin’shundolyn McPherson, sophomore Candyce Cross, freshman Whitney Harris and sophomore Kalyn Floyd also set a regional qualifying mark of 3 minutes, 41.57 seconds.
Softball returns to C-USA play
The UH softball squad will host Alabama-Birmingham in a three-game series Saturday and Sunday at Cougar Softball Stadium.
Both teams have struggled this season, but the Cougars (15-16, 4-4 Conference USA) are riding a three-game win streak, including a doubleheader sweep of Sam Houston State on Wednesday. The Cougars rode an excellent performance from pitcher Baillie Lott, who gave up only one run on six hits in eight innings, to a 3-2 victory in game one. UH took game two, 3-1, as Lott and junior pitcher Lindsey Olson combined to give up one run on six hits in seven innings.
The Blazers (11-20, 4-8) are headed in the opposite direction, having dropped six of their last seven games, including five of six conference matchups. The Cougars will have an excellent chance to rack up runs, as UAB sports a 4.66 team ERA and ranks dead last in C-USA in team pitching and fielding.
The series begins with a doubleheader that begins at 1 p.m. Saturday and concludes with game three at 1 p.m. Sunday.
Football hosting Coaches’ Clinic
The UH football program is hosting a coaches’ clinic, which began Thursday and ends Saturday.
Coaches from Texas high schools and colleges are participating, including UH offensive coordinator Dana Hologorsen and defensive coordinator John Skladany.
High school coaches expected to speak include North Shore’s David Aymond, Houston Madison’s Ray Seals, Hightower’s Shane Hallmark, Westbury’s Keeath McGee, Pearland Dawson’s Eric Wells, Atascocita’s Dean Colbert, Cleveland’s Ricky Tullos and Arlington Bowie’s Kenny Perry.
On the gridiron, the Cougar football team will conclude its second week of spring practices with a scrimmage at 11 a.m. Saturday on the UH Practice Fields.
The offense and defense both performed well in the Cougars first spring scrimmage March 28 at Robertson Stadium. The offense put up 479 total yards and scored four touchdowns, but the defense picked off three passes and recovered one fumble.
Junior-college transfer Jacky Candy had two interceptions, while junior defensive end Tyrell Graham recovered the fumble. Freshman wide receiver Tyron Carrier caught seven passes for 115 yards while sophomore quarterback Case Keenum completed 17-of-28 pass attempts for 259 yards.
