GAMES
RANKINGS
Baytown Sterling's Irad Mixon
LEVELING UP: Sterling's Mixon on an upwards trajectory in 2025
“I stepped on the track and just burned everyone,” Mixon said with a laugh. “Ever since then, I’ve loved the thrill of it all, since I tend to be a really competitive person. It’s an exhilarating feeling to test the true physicality of who you areas an athlete. It feels like home to me, so that’s where I stay.”
Now a senior at Baytown Sterling, Mixon has turned that early passion into proven success.
Last season, he captured gold in the 400mDash at the District Meet before placing third at the Area level, securing a spot at Regionals. He also helped Sterling’s 4x200 Relay team reach the Regional stage, further cementing his role as a leader on the squad.
But Mixon isn’t satisfied. He has even greater ambitions in his final campaign.
“I’ve become really focused on my goals since last year,” he said. “I know what I’m capable of. I don’t want to just finish in the Top-3 at the Area meet—I want to win it. More so than that, I want to do well enough at regionals to get my place at State.”
Mixon has spent all four years with the Rangers, and he credits the program for helping him develop into the competitor he is today.
“Being with this team has definitely boosted my confidence,” he said. “That’s not always an easy thing to do, especially when you compete against other talented opponents. But Sterling has helped me stay focused on what I can accomplish. As long as I stay on track, I know I can be comfortable with the results.”
While track is his primary focus, Mixon also has plans beyond the sport. He intends to pursue a degree in electrical engineering while hoping to continue his athletic career at the next level.
When he’s not training or competing, Mixon enjoys unwinding with his favorite shows—Game of Thrones, The 100, and Alice in Borderland.
However, his current attention is directed toward the last stretch of his high school career.
With a decorated resume already behind him, Mixon is determined to make his senior season his best yet—one that could end on the biggest stage in Texas high school track and field.
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Fort Bend Bush Track Star Amariya Hardeman
TRUSTING THE PROCESS: FB Bush's Hardeman carrying on the family name
A key member of the 2022 state champion 4x100m Relay team, Hardeman has qualified for the UIL State Meet every year since joining the Broncos.
Most recently, she earned a bronze medal at Regionals before finishing seventh in the 200m dash at the 2024 state competition in Austin.
With her final high school meets approaching, Hardeman remains focused on enjoying the process.
“The first thing that pops into my head at every meet is to have fun,” she said. “For most of my career, I’ve always believed in ‘trusting the process,’ whether that’s through my preparation in practice or my performance on race day. At this point, whatever happens is a result of what God has in store for me, and I’ll always continue to embody that mindset.”
That mindset will carry over to the next chapter of her career, as Hardeman has signed to compete for the University of Alabama.
“The Alabama program felt like home to me,” she said. “I became really close with Coach (Blaine) Wiley, Coach (Tabarie) Henry, and even the head coach, Dan Waters. More than that, the girls on the team were so welcoming—it was something I wanted to be a part of.”
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Beyond athletics, Hardeman is eager to embrace new experiences in Tuscaloosa.
“What I’m most excited about is meeting new people and building connections,” she said. “Something I’ve learned is that it’s not always about the memories you make on the track as an individual—it’s about who you meet along the way. That’s why I was drawn to Alabama.”
Hardeman’s competitive drive is deeply rooted in her family.
She is the granddaughter of former NFL player Don Hardeman (Houston Oilers, Baltimore Colts) and the daughter of Cedric Hardeman, who played football at the University of Houston and now coaches at Conroe High School.
Her mother ran track at Rice University, and her older brother, Chris, played football at Oklahoma State.
“My family is my No. 1 life support,” she said. “Even if they can’t physically be at my meets, they always find a way to watch. Having people who have been in similar situations is an indescribable feeling. I’m blessed to have an outlet for advice and support as I pave my own path.”
With her high school career nearing its end, Hardeman’s impact on Fort Bend Bush’s program is undeniable. And as she prepares for the next step, she does so with the same faith, confidence, and determination that have fueled her success so far.