Texas Relays victory is sweet for Thorndale shot putter Bethany Preusse
· Yahoo Sports
Thorndale junior Bethany Preusse's journey to a shot put victory Saturday at the Texas Relays had a sweet ending.
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Whenever she wins an event — she competes in the shot put, discus and hammer throw — Brian Preusse take his daughter out to celebrate. It's a family tradition.
"My dad put ice cream on the line today!" Bethany said, her cheeks reddened by cold rain that dampened Mike A. Myers Stadium on the final day of the meet. "That's always been our go-to thing. I'm trying to convince him about Andy's (Frozen Custard)."
But before she could indulge in bowl of her go-to favorite, chocolate, she had business to take care of. One day after taking second in the discus, she won the shot put with a toss of 44 feet, 6 inches.
Preusse's day was among a handful of bright spots for Central Texas athletes Saturday at the Relays. Among the local winners were LBJ senior Louis Hickman, who won the boys 100 meters, and St. Dominic Savio sophomore Chayse Madison-Haire, who took first in the girls 100 meters.
"Winning means a lot because all of the progress I've made lately came together today," Preusse said. "A slick ring isn't exactly the best conditions to compete in."
LBJ’s Louis Hickman Jr. wins the D1 100-meter dash in a time of 11.91 on Saturday afternoon during the 98th Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin, April 4, 2026. (Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman)Late-morning showers delayed the Relays by nearly two hours but that didn't ruin the day for the winners. Preusse said she competed in similar conditions at the Nike Outdoor Nationals last summer in Eugene, Ore.
Brian Preusse described Bethany as "a natural" in throwing events. Then again, she's been competing in field events since she turned 8 years old. After giving basketball and volleyball a try, she gave them up to concentrate solely on track and field. He noted that she has competed against the same girls since she was about 10.
"We'd like to see her go on to Olympic events in the future," dad said.
Hickman, who had the fastest qualifying time Friday at 10.40 seconds in the 100 meters, won the event Saturday at 10.58 seconds on a wet track. He edged Carson Clark of Concordia Lutheran (10.62) and Patrick Gales of Brusly (La.) High (10.78).
Hickman said he was pleased with the result but added he didn't run his best race. He should be in "better shape" when he competes in the UIL State Track and Field Championships May 14-16 at Myers Stadium.
"It would mean the world to me to win state," he said. "That's always been my dream for football and track. Football didn't come out as I hoped. Track is my last option."
St. Dominic Savio’s Chayse Madison-Haire wins the D1 100-meter dash in a time of 11.91 on Saturday afternoon during the 98th Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin, April 4, 2026. (Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman)Moments later, Madison-Haire had an easy time in the 100 meters, winning the race at 11.91 seconds. She beat out Nautica-Marie Tunstel of Frisco Panther Creek (12.06) and Rian Kinsler of Greenhill School (12.11).
Brock senior Ava Tucker won the girls pole vault by clearing 12 feet, 10.25 inches. And there was Round Rock senior Robbie Oliver and San Marcos junior Nellie Mauritz following with identical 12-06.25 jumps. Oliver earned second with fewer misses.
The Round Rock 4x800 relay team of Leo Brasil, Andrew Esparza, Landon Flukiger and Zeke Guerra finished third with a time of 7:59.98.
Among the high school winners on Saturday were Eleanor Kazanjian of Kingsville King (100 hurdles), Naliyah White of Freeport Brazosport (triple jump) and Jordan Pinones of San Antonio East Central (shot put).