Five Texas Longhorns Outdoor Track and Field Athletes Receive Prestigious All-SEC Honors for Their Stellar Performances This Season

The University of Texas continues to establish itself as a national powerhouse in collegiate athletics, and the latest chapter in this legacy has been written on the outdoor track and field stage. Five standout athletes from the Texas Longhorns track and field program have earned All-SEC honors, underscoring the exceptional talent, work ethic, and competitive spirit that define the team’s identity. These accolades not only highlight individual accomplishments but also speak volumes about the strength and depth of the program under the guidance of head coach Edrick Floréal.

Each of the five honorees has contributed significantly to Texas’ success throughout the outdoor season, delivering key performances in SEC meets and consistently raising the bar in their respective events. The recognition from the Southeastern Conference, one of the most competitive leagues in collegiate track and field, is a testament to the elite level of performance these athletes have displayed against some of the top competition in the country.

One of the headliners among the Longhorns receiving All-SEC recognition is sprinter Micaela Rose, whose blazing speed in the 400-meter dash has made her a consistent presence on the podium. Rose’s discipline, execution, and sheer power have defined her campaign this season. At the SEC Outdoor Championships, she showcased her remarkable form, clocking in one of her fastest times of the year against a highly competitive field. Her ability to maintain peak performance throughout the rounds and deliver in the final speaks to both her physical preparation and mental toughness.

Equally deserving of praise is middle-distance runner Yusuf Bizimana, who has continued to cement his reputation as one of the most technically gifted and tactically intelligent athletes in the conference. Bizimana’s performances in the 800 meters have been nothing short of outstanding, and his All-SEC nod is the result of consistently top-tier efforts throughout the season. Whether setting the pace or executing a late surge, Bizimana’s race strategy is always precise, and his finishes consistently strong.

On the field side of the competition, Texas also saw excellence recognized with All-SEC honors for standout thrower Elina Tzengko. Specializing in the javelin, Tzengko has demonstrated world-class form throughout the outdoor season, with her throws regularly exceeding the 60-meter mark. Her technique, strength, and consistency have made her not just a conference leader but a national contender as well. Earning All-SEC honors was a natural conclusion to a dominant stretch that included personal bests and event wins across key meets.

In the jumps, Tara Davis-Woodhall reaffirmed her elite status with a season highlighted by gravity-defying leaps and a podium finish at the SEC Championships in the long jump. Davis-Woodhall, a familiar name to track and field enthusiasts, continues to evolve her craft with technical improvements that have added both distance and consistency to her jumps. Her All-SEC selection marks yet another milestone in a decorated collegiate career, and she remains a central figure in the Longhorns’ national title ambitions.

Rounding out the list of Longhorns earning All-SEC recognition is multi-event athlete Leo Neugebauer, whose performances in the decathlon have brought him national acclaim. Neugebauer’s athletic versatility—ranging from sprints and jumps to throws and endurance events—makes him a uniquely valuable asset for Texas. At the SEC Championships, he delivered one of his most complete decathlons to date, scoring well across all ten events and reinforcing his status as a premier multi-eventer. His All-SEC honor is a reflection of both his all-around athletic ability and his incredible dedication to the sport.

The All-SEC awards are split into First Team and Second Team honors, with athletes who finish in the top three of their respective events at the SEC Championships earning these distinctions. Each of Texas’ five honorees earned their place among the conference’s elite through podium finishes or equally dominant performances during the outdoor season. For a program still transitioning into the SEC after years of dominance in the Big 12, this collection of accolades sends a clear message: Texas is not just adapting—they’re thriving.

Behind these achievements is a coaching staff that emphasizes holistic athlete development, emphasizing not only physical conditioning and technique but also mental preparation, academic success, and leadership. Coach Floréal and his staff have cultivated a culture of excellence that extends far beyond the track, encouraging athletes to push their limits while supporting one another through the rigors of elite competition.

This environment has not only produced SEC award winners but has also set the stage for Texas to be a major player at the upcoming NCAA Outdoor Championships. With their All-SEC performers leading the charge, the Longhorns are poised to challenge for team honors on the national stage. The presence of multiple athletes capable of contending for individual national titles gives Texas a multifaceted attack, capable of scoring in sprints, distance, field events, and multi-events alike.

The significance of All-SEC recognition cannot be overstated. The SEC is widely regarded as one of the toughest and deepest conferences in NCAA Division I track and field. To earn a spot among the All-SEC teams is to be counted among the best collegiate athletes in the world. For the Longhorns to place five athletes on that list in their early years as an SEC member marks an auspicious beginning and suggests that even greater things lie ahead for the program.

Beyond the awards and accolades, what sets this group apart is their commitment to their craft. Each athlete has faced adversity this season—be it injury, weather challenges, or fierce competition—and yet found ways to overcome and excel. That resilience will serve them well as they turn their attention to the national stage and, for some, prepare for potential professional or international competition down the road.

For Rose and Bizimana, the summer could hold opportunities to compete for their countries at the international level. Tzengko and Davis-Woodhall, already with strong global résumés, may look to further establish themselves ahead of the next Olympic cycle. Neugebauer, with his growing reputation as one of the top decathletes in the world, has aspirations that clearly extend beyond the collegiate season.

This blend of collegiate success and international potential is part of what makes Texas such an attractive destination for top-tier track and field talent. The program offers athletes not only the chance to compete at the highest level in college athletics but also the resources and support to develop into world-class performers. The five All-SEC selections are proof of concept—and a preview of what’s to come.

As the Longhorns prepare for the NCAA Championships, these five athletes will undoubtedly serve as the cornerstones of Texas’ effort to claim national hardware. Their performances this season have inspired teammates and fans alike, and their recognition by the SEC serves as a validation of the hard work they’ve put in behind the scenes. In a sport where milliseconds and millimeters can be the difference between victory and disappointment, these five have consistently delivered when it mattered most.

The 2025 outdoor season has already been historic for the Texas Longhorns, and with All-SEC honors now in hand for five of their finest, the story is far from finished. Whether through thrilling sprint finishes, precise field event mastery, or the all-around excellence of the decathlon, these athletes have given Texas fans plenty to cheer about—and reason to believe that the best is yet to come. The legacy they’re building will serve as inspiration for the next generation of Longhorns, and as a reminder that in Texas, greatness isn’t just a goal—it’s an expectation.