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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GOLD DIGGERS: The Faces of the Regional Meets
Dekaney's Tanook Hines
In Class 6A Region III, Stratford's Samuel Jordan and Ben Pearce dominated the long-distance events, sweeping the 1600 and 3200 meters. Houston Lamar claimed gold in the 4x100 relay with a fast 40.41 finish. Tompkins' Etoro Bassey, an Aggie commit, soared to victory in the long jump.
Freshman Dillon Mitchell of CE King stunned the field by winning the 100 meters, while Katy’s Adam Carter swept both the discus and shot put. Dickinson's Richard Lee won the 200 meters and finished second in the 100 meters. Barbers Hill’s Jayden Thrower had a standout performance, earning gold in both the hurdles and the triple jump.
On the girls’ side in Class 6A, Atascocita’s Mia Maxwell took home titles in a highly competitive 100 and 200-meter dash. Summer Creek’s Kelly Frederick and Phoenix Phillips swept the hurdles, while Lake Creek’s Hailey Johnson captured gold in the 800 meters.
In Class 5A, Carnegie Vanguard’s Laila Payne dominated with wins in the 100 meters and 100-meter hurdles, along with a second-place finish in the 200 meters.
Over in Class 6A Region II, freshman Chinweoke Onwuchekwa of Cy Springs placed second in the 100 meters. USC football commit Tanook Hines won the 200 meters, and Willis’ Heath Grant claimed the 800-meter title. Bridgeland’s Ben Montgomery, a BYU signee, swept the 1600 and 3200 meters.
Klein Collins’ Andrew Jones doubled up with wins in the 110 and 300-meter hurdles, and Dekaney’s squad took home the 4x200 relay title. The Woodlands’ Brian Nwugbana won the triple jump, and Tomball Memorial sophomore Ben Haywood soared to gold in the pole vault.
Cy Ranch’s Celeste Robinson, a Georgia commit, sprinted to victory in both the 100 and 200 meters. Bridgeland’s Rowan Saacke mirrored that performance in the 1600 and 3200 meters. Naomi Booker claimed both hurdles events, Klein Cain’s Kiyah Rawls won the shot put, and Klein Oak’s Moyosoreoluwa Bakare secured the triple jump title.