UIL regional track and field preview: Eight Fort Worth-area athletes to watch
The UIL Texas high school track and field regional finals are here.
The Class 6A Region One meet starts on Friday at UTA Maverick Stadium while the Class 5A Region one meet starts on Friday at Lowrey Field in Lubbock.
Here are eight Fort Worth-area athletes to watch.
Cooper Lutkenhaus, Justin Northwest
When it comes to the 800-meter, Northwest sophomore Cooper Lutkenhaus is a heavy favorite. He ranks second nationwide with a time of 1:48.57, which isn’t even his personal best. In the 400-meter at his area meet, Lutkenhaus set an personal record of 47.02 to finish first and advance.
Lutkenhaus set a 800-meter indoor national record at the Milrose Games in Febuary, running the distance in 1:46.86. In the regional meet, he will have another opportunity to make history as he prepares to close another historic season as an underclassman.
Deon Mays, Arlington
Mays, Utah football signee, is a 247Sports’ three-star prospect, and speed is a big reason why. Mays has the No. 14 time in Texas in the 100-meter (10.20). He secured second in his area meet with a 10.38 mark.
Mays will be looking to punch his ticket to the UIL state championships at the regional meet and will face tough competition, including Jesuit’s Harlan Beucler, who narrowly bested Mays in the area round. Mays is also a member of Arlington’s 4 x 200-meter team, which ranks No. 21 in Texas.
Travis Buhake, Mansfield Summit
Buhake, a senior Houston football signee, is a 247 three-star defensive line prospect. His strength is evident in both the shot put and discus, although he excels more in the shot put.
Buhake has a shot put personal record of 61-10, which he posted in early March. It ranks No. 5 in Texas. At his area meet, Buhake secured a 60-2.75 mark, which earned him first place. In the discuss, he has a PR of 173-6, which he secured in Febuary. That throw ranks No. 26 in Texas.
Caden Leonard, Southlake Carroll
Leonard, a junior, has prime potential with his mile time ranking sixth in Texas at 4:11.27. He has posted even better numbers in the 3,200-meter event and ranks No. 1 in Texas with an 8:54.41 time, which he recorded at district meets.
In 2024, Leonard set a mile PR of 4:02.46 at the RunningLane Track Championships, which followed his 4:09.39 at the UIL State meet. His 3,200-meter personal record of 8:51.57 was also posted at the 2024 state championships.
Leonard won the 1600 state title but placed second in the 3,200, finishing 0.07 seconds behind the winner.
Skylar Brazzell, Byron Nelson
Brazzell, a Georgia signee, is one of the top sprinters in Texas. At her area-round meet, she set a personal record of 22.78 and took first place. The time ranks her as the No. 2 athlete in the 200-meter in Texas and No. 5 nationwide.
She also excels in the 400-meter event, ranking eighth nationally and third in Texas with a 53.30 mark.
Brazzell took second in the 2024 state championships in the 400-meter. With another year of experience under her belt, Brazzell will likely be in a solid position to compete for a title.
Caitlyn Cavitt, Arlington Martin
Cavitt is a versatile athlete for the Martin Warriors. She recently set a personal record in the long jump with a 20-4 mark, which ranks No. 3 in Texas without a wind reading. She is one of the best long jumpers in the nation, with the ability to compete with anyone.
Cavitt also thrives in the 100-meter dash and took home second place in her area meet with a time of 11.42. In district, she posted a time of 11.38, which ranks No. 9 in Texas.
Nia Trammell, Fort Worth Wyatt
Trammell, in the 400-meter, punched her ticket to regionals with a mark of 53.78, which is the fourth-best time in Texas this season and a personal record. She is also a threat in the 200-meter dash, securing first in her heat with a 23.59 time, which is the 17th fastest in Texas.
Kalani Lawson, Fort Worth Dunbar
Lawson, a senior, is looking for three consecutive state championships in the 100-meter hurdle. In 2024, she set a UIL state record with a time of 13.89 seconds. She currently ranks No. 3 in Texas with a 13.65 mark.
Lawson also competes in the 200-meter dash and set a PR of 24.67 in her district meet. She also competes in long jump and ranks No. 40 in Texas with a 18-11.5 mark.
This story was originally published April 17, 2025 at 12:45 PM.
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