Rhasidat Adeleke helps University of Texas make 4x100m history

Irish-Nigerian, Rhasidat Adeleke was in the University of Texas’ 4x100m relay team that set a new Texas Relay record on Friday at the Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin, Texas.

The 20 year old ran the third leg in a qaurtet comprising 2023 NCAA Indoor Championships 60m/200m champion, Julien Alfred who ran the first leg, Nigeria’s Ezinne Abba and of course anchor leg runner, Davis Kevona.

The Longhorns, as the school athletics team is called ran the fastest qualifying time at 42.38 for a new Texas Relays record and the fourth fastest time in University of Texas history.

Meanhwile, Adeleke, who will also be running in the 4x100m final Saturday has also been listed to run the first leg in the women’s 4x200m and 4x400m as her school, University of Texas will be looking for a clean sweep of the women’s relay titles at meeting.

Adeleke was rested in the semifinal of the 4x400m event won by the quartet of Rachel Helbling, Kennedy Simon, Lanae-Tava Thomas and Nigeria’s Ezinne Abba, running the fastest qualifying time of 3:31.20 to advance to Saturday’s final.

The 20 year old Adeleke and Alfred have been drafted into the final to replace Thomas and Abba in Saturday’s final.

Both Adeleke and Alfred will be involved in the 4x200m before running in the 1600 relay final.

Adeleke will start and hand over to Alfred while in the 4x400m final, the Irish-Nigerian will also start while the Saint Lucian, Alfred will run the third
leg.

Two Nigerians, Ella Onojuvwevwo ( LSU) and Imaobong Nse Uko (Baylor University) will also be running in the 4x400m final for their respective school.

While Onojuvwevwo will, like Adeleke run the first leg for her school,  Nse Uko, the 2021 World U20 400m champion will be hoping to anchor her school to glory.

Nse Uko will also be involved in the 4x200m event and will run as the anchor leg in the third heat which also has Adeleke’s University of Texas.