Texas 2026 Preview: Who’s Back, Who’s Missing This Spring

William Grundy

Mia Maxwell, Roy Hughes, Cooper Lutkenhaus, and Tate Taylor are just a couple of state champions who will not compete in the 2026 track and field season

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The bar in Texas isn't just high.

It's historic.

The 2026 outdoor track and field season arrives on the heels of back-to-back record-breaking years in 2024 and 2025, seasons that rewrote Texas all-time lists and, in several cases, the national record books.

In 2024, Humble Atascocita and Duncanville boys reset national standards in the 4x100 and 4x200 relays, while Elizabeth Leachman stormed onto national distance lists in record-setting fashion.

In 2025, the momentum continued. Lancaster's girls became the only high school team in history to run under 44 seconds, doing it twice in the 4x100. Atascocita, Shadow Creek, and others dipped into the 1:33 range in the 4x200. Mia Maxwell and Mariah Maxwell posted all-time Texas sprint marks. Elin Latta ran a state-record 4:34 in the 1600m. Taylor Nunez and Bayleigh Minor both racked up the most UIL and TAPPS state championships ever.

On the boys' side? Tate Taylor ran a national record 9.92, Cooper Lutkenhaus dropped a 1:47.04 state meet record before eventually running a 1:42.27 U20 World Record, Adam Carter threw 70 feet in the shot put, three Texans surpassed 200 feet in the discus, Etoro Bassey cleared 7-4.25 in the high jump, and Ja'Shaun Lloyd joined state and national all-time hurdle lists.

Now comes 2026.

And while some stars won't be back, Texas remains overwhelmingly loaded.


The Headliners We Won't See

Before diving into who is competing, it's impossible not to acknowledge the major names absent this spring.

Cooper Lutkenhaus (800m)

The two-time UIL 6A champion turned pro after qualifying for the World Championships. His 1:47.04 state meet record and 1:42.27 U20 world record cemented his legacy. He's now a professional and ineligible for high school competition.

Tate Taylor (100m/200m)

The fastest high school boy in Texas history. His wind-legal 9.92 set a national record. He also ran 20.14 in the 200m (TX No. 2 all-time). Indoors, he broke the national 300m record (32.45). His absence opens the sprint door statewide.

Elizabeth Leachman (Distance)

The former state record holder (4:37) and US No. 2 all-time 3200m runner (9:34) hasn't competed since her sophomore season. With Olympic Trials experience and a 15:25 national record 5K to her name, her likely absence leaves a major void.

The Maxwell Twins

Mia (UIL 6A 100m & TJ champ) and Mariah (UIL 6A 200m champ) will compete outside UIL meets until postseason. Indoors, Mia has run 7.20 twice and triple jumped 44-6. Mariah set a 300m national record (36.24). Their postseason return will be must-watch.

Caroline Barrow (Katy Taylor)

Last year, as a freshman, the UIL 6A runner-up in the 800m dropped PRs of 57.50, 2:07.63, 4:53.73, and 17:35 in cross country. In that, she proved she was phenomenal. However, she was absent this fall during the cross-country season as she pursued USNYT and international opportunities to compete in her primary sport, soccer, where she is also a top-notch talent.

Davian Groce (Frisco Lone Star)

The 2025 UIL 5A 200m champion (20.52) and 10.75 in the 100m is already enrolled at the University of Florida and their football program.

Roy Hughes (Dallas Lincoln)

We will not see Hughes compete for an adverse reason. The 2025 UIL 4A 300H champion (36.85) tragically passed away last August following a football practice. Hughes was widely respected as a leader and competitor. His absence is deeply felt across the Dallas and Texas track and field community, and the preview could not happen without paying respect and mentioning his obvious absence, which seems even bigger now.


Girls Season Preview: Speed, Depth & Record Watch

Even without some superstars, the girls' season may be just as explosive.

Sprint Reload

400m Could Be Historic

Three 52-point returners? Texas may see one of its fastest 400m seasons ever.

Distance Remains Elite

Even without Leachman or possibly Caroline Barrow (soccer commitments), Texas distance remains nationally relevant.

Hurdle Depth Is Ridiculous

In the 300H, at least eight returners are under 42.8.

Relay National Record Watch

Lancaster 4x100

They ran 43.84 and 43.91, the only sub-44 performances in history, and return all four legs.

Shadow Creek 4x200

Return three legs from their 1:33.71 state meet record.

National records could fall again.

Proven Long Jump Talent

Pole Vault State Champs Return

High Jump Returns Proven, Winning Talent


Boys Season Preview: The Sprint Era Continues

Even without Taylor and Lutkenhaus, Texas might still produce the country's fastest sprinters.

100m & 200m Reloaded

Without Taylor, the sprint throne is wide open - but still blistering fast.

400m Might Be The Deepest Event In Texas

Add the potential return of Kendrick Jones Jr. (Lake Belton) to all sprint events. He ran 45.27 last spring before injury, and this event could produce national top-10 marks.

Distance Royalty Returns

The 800m, 1600m, and 3200m will again be elite.

Hurdles Are Reload

Relays: Reloaded And Dangerous Again

If the last two seasons proved anything, it's that Texas relays are never one-year wonders.

4x100 & 4x200

  • Cypress Springs returns all four runners from its 40.06 UIL 6A title-winning 4x100 squad, led by Chinweoke "Sam" Onwuchekwa.

  • Houston Lamar, third last year in 40.30, returns three legs and also brings back three from its 3:08.51 (US No. 6 all-time) 4x400 squad that powered the team to a 6A title.

  • Duncanville ran 40.34 for fifth at state and returns all four, and few programs reload like Duncanville.

  • Fort Bend Marshall returns three of four from its 1:24 4x200 relay, one of the fastest times in the state last season.

4x400: Quietly Elite Again

  • Round Rock Stony Point returns three legs from its state-finalist 4x400.

  • Killeen Shoemaker brings back three from its 3:13 4x400 relay and 4x200 relay

  • Lamar, as mentioned, returns three from its historic 3:08 squad.

  • El Paso Franklin, last year's surprise team contender, also returns major relay pieces after finishing second in the 4x400.

The 4x400 may again be one of the most dramatic events of the postseason.

Field Events: Power, Pop & 17-Foot Poles

Texas field events have quietly become as nationally relevant as the sprints.

Throws: Big Marks Already Flying

Texas could easily produce multiple 200-foot discus throws again this spring.

Long Jump: 24 Feet Is The Standard

The event could see multiple athletes flirting with 25 feet.

Triple Jump: Near 50 Again

A 50-footer in Texas this spring would surprise no one.

High Jump: 7-Foot Club Growing

The 7-foot barrier may fall multiple times this spring.

Pole Vault: 17 Feet And Rising

Texas pole vault continues to thrive with returning 17-footers:

With that trio leading the way, the event should again be one of the deepest in the state.


The Big Picture

The beauty of the last two seasons is this:

2026 isn't a rebuild.

It's a reload.

Yes, Texas loses a pro 800m phenom, a national-record 100m sprinter, and Texas all-time girls sprinters, possibly the most accomplished distance runner in state history.

But it also returns:

  • National-class relay teams

  • Sub-10.2 and sub-6.6 sprinters

  • Sub-4:05 milers

  • 45-second quarter-milers

  • 13.3 hurdlers

  • 200-foot throwers

  • Adds a 21-0 girls' long jumper
  • TX No. 1 girls all-time miler
  • TX No. 6 all-time girls 800m
  • 3 52-second girl quartermilers

If 2024 and 2025 rewrote the record books, 2026 might test how permanent those entries really are.

In Texas, history isn't protected.

It's chased.