AUSTIN, Texas -- On Tuesday, July 19, The University of Texas' women's track team will be honored at the Texas State House of Representatives, and in the Senate as well, with a special resolution at the State Capitol in recognition for winning the 2005 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship this past June.
The Longhorns student-athletes, coaches and support staff will be recognized Tuesday morning at approximately 11 a.m. on the House floor when the House of Representatives begins its daily session. Representative Dawnna Dukes (D-Austin), who represents House District 46 (eastern Travis County), is sponsoring the proclamation. Representative Dukes is a sixth term member of the Texas House.
Following the House resolution, the UT team will be honored on the floor of the Senate.
In Sacramento, Calif. this past June, the Longhorns, led by head coach Beverly Kearney, earned the program's fifth NCAA track and field title (third outdoor crown overall), and the first since the spring of 1999. Remarkably, Texas accomplished this feat with only seven competitors at the NCAA national meet. Texas won the final event of the meet (4x400 meter relay which was run by juniors Sheretta Jones, Melaine Walker and LaTashia Kerr along with sophomore anchor Jerrika Chapple) to clinch the NCAA title with a first-place finish of 3:27.13. The Longhorns trailed UCLA by three points and were five points ahead of South Carolina heading into the 4x400-meter relay, and finished with 55 points after the 4x400 win. UCLA did not have a team in the mile relay, while South Carolina ended up second in the event. They tied for second with 48 points.
Texas was led at the NCAA meet by sophomore Marshevet Hooker. Hooker earned an individual national championship in the 100 meters and anchored the 4x100-meter relay to the national title, while finishing second in the long jump at the 2005 NCAAs.
At season's end, Kearney and Hooker were recognized as 2005 Women's Outdoor Coach and Athlete of the Year, respectively, by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). This was Kearney's fourth national coach of the year award, while Hooker was honored as Athlete of the Year for the first time.
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