Brooks takes heptathlon title to kick off Texas Relays

AUSTIN, Texas — Taliyah Brooks took the heptathlon title at the Texas Relays on Thursday, recording 5,946 points to begin Arkansas’ trip in Austin, marking her second heptathlon title at the event.

She has finished in the top two in the event at the Texas Relays each of the last three seasons.

“I was decently happy with the results,” said Brooks. “We used this meet as more of a training session, we were trying to just get a qualifying mark for nationals.

“I think overall I had a good two days, we will use the rest of the season for training, sharpening up on my individual events, and preparing for the next heptathlon during championship season”

Brooks, who won the event in 2016 and was runner-up in 2017, began her run to the title Wednesday with with a first place finish in the 100 meter hurdles.

She followed that up with a fourth place finish in the high jump and a ninth place finish in the shot put.

She trailed just once during the event following the shot put, by 17 points, but ended the day with a strong showing and another first place finish in the 200 meters with a time of 23.99 to pull her back ahead.

She was just one of two athletes to break the 20′ mark in the heptathlon long jump, posting a mark of 6.30 (20-8), placing first by more than four inches.

Her day ended with a sixth place finish in the javelin throw and an eighth place finish in the 800 meters.

Brooks’ title marks the 24th at the Texas Relays for Arkansas and fourth in the heptathlon.

Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays Heptathlon
1. Taliyah Brooks – 5,946 pts.
(1) 100-Meter Hurdles – 13.28, 1,083 pts.
(4) High Jump – 1.72m, 879 pts.
(9) Shot Put – 11.72m, 643 pts.
(1) 200 Meters- 23.99, 982 pts.
(1) Long Jump – 6.30m, 943 pts.
(6) Javelin- 36.91m, 608 pts.
(8) 800 Meters – 2:21.17, 808 pts.

Brooks’ Career Heptathlon Results 
2018 Texas Relays – 5,946 pts (1st)
2017 NCAA Outdoor Championships – 5,795 pts (3rd)
2017 SEC Outdoor Championships – 6,099 pts (1st) – School Record
2017 Texas Relays – 6,075 pts (2nd)
2016 SEC Outdoor Championships – 5,855 (4th)
2016 Texas Relays – 5,991 pts (1st)
2015 NCAA Outdoor Championships – 5,717 pts (16th)
2015 SEC Outdoor Championships – 5,681 pts (7th)
2015 Texas Relays – 5,482 pts (4th)

The Razorbacks field and relay teams will return to action in Austin tomorrow, while the distance crew will begin action in Palo Alto, Calif. at the Stanford Invitational.