Spring Athletics
By: RC Maxfield
Men’s Indoor & Outdoor Track Field: Indoor and Outdoor Big 12 Champs + Outdoor Men’s National Championship
2019 Recap: What an incredible season for Coach Kittley and the Men’s Indoor and Outdoor team. Both Kittley and Oduduru garnered “of the year” awards in the conference. Oduduru broke the 10 second mark (9.99) at the Big 12 Championship, the first time that has ever happened. Other notable athletes from the team include Sophomore Norman Grimes Jr who won gold in the 400m hurdles and Duke Kicinski who defended his discus championship with a toss of 194-2 (59.19m). The team from top to bottom produced and helped garner points on their way to both the Indoor and Outdoor championships in the Big 12. However, that wasn’t their most impressive feat as a team, the Men’s Outdoor Track & Field team brought home the 1st EVER Men’s National Championship in Texas Tech school history. Led by Oduduru who garnered 20 points on his own, everyone contributed with at least one point to help Texas Tech get 60 total team points to win the NCAA Outdoor Men’s Championship.
2020 Outlook: As long as Texas Tech has Wes Kittley in charge of the program, Tech has a great chance to compete for a Big 12 championship. He has helped Tech have sustained success and 2020 should be no different.
Women’s Indoor & Outdoor Track & Field: Indoor (2nd) & Outdoor (4th)
2019 Recap: The Men may be receiving the attention for winning the outdoor national championship (and rightly so) but, the women had a great year inside and outside. Whether it was Chinne Okronkwo, Zarriea Willis or Alaysha Johnson. Everyone contributed to a great year for the Lady Raiders. The brightest star however was, Zarriea Willis who won both the indoor and outdoor high jump national championships.
2020 Outlook: The team does lose 13 seniors including Zarriea Willis however, as mentioned in the Men’s portion of the recap, as long as you have Coach Wes Kittley as the Director of Track & Field and Cross Country… you’ll always have a chance to compete for Big 12 Championships.
Men’s Basketball: 31-7 (Big 12: 14-4) National Runner-Up
2018/2019 Recap: By now, everyone knows about this team and what they’ve done so, where to begin? Well, why not with the fact that this team won it’s first ever Big 12 Title, Coach Chris Beard won AP Coach of the Year and they played in the Final Four for the 1st time in program history. The team was led by the 6th overall pick (Minnesota Timberwolves) and Lubbck native Jarrett Culver who won the Big 12 Player of the Year award. This team had some unlikely guys step up and fill big time roles whether that was the two grad transfers in Tariq Owens and Matt Mooney, Norense Odaise stepping into the main leadership role or Davide Moretti becoming more outspoken. This team will go down as the greatest team in Texas Tech Men’s Basketball history but, if Chris Bard has anything to say about it… that title won’t last long.
2019/2020 Outlook: Texas Tech again will be faced with the tall task of replacing 4 of their 5 starters from the year before but, Coach Beard and crew have shown that they can adjust on the fly. With the highest rated recruiting class in program history coming in, Texas Tech could have their deepest team in school history. They won’t be picked to finish 7th in the Big 12 this year. No, they’ll have target on their back but, you better believe they’ll still have a chip on their shoulders.
Women’s Basketball: 14-17 (Big 12: 4-14)
2018/2019 Recap: The Marlene Stollings era began for the Lady Raiders and really took a big step forward. You saw a team that bought into a coach and also had flashes of a team that looked like they were a year or two away from being in the NCAA Tournament. The team doubled their win total from the year prior and went from only 1 Big 12 win to 4.
2019/2020 Outlook: With only losing one senior in Zuri Sanders, the team is poised to breakout in Stollings 2nd year as head coach. With transfers coming in and returning players getting another year of experience, don’t be surprised if the Lady Raiders make a run at the NCAA Tournament.
.
Softball: 42-16 (Big 12: 8-10) NCAA Tournament Appearance
2019 Recap: Looking at previous years and the success that softball has had, it hasn’t been up to par in terms of success. This season, however, was vastly different. Coach Gregory and crew changed the narrative this season however with a breakout years from numerous girls on the roster. Jessica Hartwell the leader of the program became the all-time HR leader in program history. Edmundson and Zoch were critical to the success that the Red Raiders had this year in the circle. They were a 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament and were just a couple outs away from advancing to their first super regional in program history. This was definitely one of the best seasons in program history and continued success looks to be on the horizon.
2020 Outlook: With only losing two starters in Taylor Satchell and Jessica Hartwell, Tech is good in a good position to grow on the success they accomplished last year. With both main starters in Edmundson and Zoch returning as well as Hornback getting another year of experience in the circle, this looks to be a strong area for the team. The lineup will return team HR leader Trinty Edwards and leadoff hitter Karli Hamilton who took a huge leap forward in 2019. All in all, you’d have to expect this program to keep developing and moving in the right direction. Who knows, maybe they make thee first super regional in program history… they definitely have the talent and coaching to do so.
Baseball: 46-20 (Big 12: 16-8) Regular Season Big 12 Champs & CWS Appearance
2019 Recap: If you are one to anoint a team that has gone further than any team in program history as the best team in said program history well, this is the best team in Tech baseball history. They advanced to the “Final Four” of the College World Series for the first time ever. They were led by Co-Big 12 Player of the Year Josh Jung who was also selected 8th overall in the MLB Draft by the Texas Rangers. Cam Warren also had a breakout season as well for the Red Raiders posting a .355/.451/.665 slash line and 18 HR and 79 RBI. The breakout season of Micah Dallas and the consistency of Caleb Killian on the mound gave Tech a legit Friday and Saturday combo. The bullpen was a huge weapon for Coach Tadlock with John McMillon, Taylor Floyd, Dane Haveman, etc… With the strong lineup Tech possessed as well as a good rotation and bullpen, this allowed Texas Tech to go further than they ever have in Omaha.
2020 Outlook: This off-season is much like last year, a lot of opportunities are available for guys returning next season. With Coach Tadlock and crew, sure they are losing one of the best players to ever put on the scarlet and black in Josh Jung plus you’re losing your leadoff hitter in Gabe Holt as well as Cam Warren. Not too mention a few arms are most likely leaving due to where they got drafted in the MLB Draft. However, Coach Tadlock and crew has proven time and time again, he doesn’t need to rebuild after losing key players… he just reloads.
Texas Tech Athletics Accolades in 2018/2019
- Men’s Track & Field Outdoor National Championship
- Men’s Basketball National Runner Up
- Baseball CWS “Final Four”
- AP Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year
- Big 12 Coach of the Year (Men’s Basketball & Baseball)
- Men’s Big 12 Track & Field Championship (Indoor & Outdoor)
- Josh Jung drafted 8th Overall in the MLB Draft
- *Patrick Mahomes wins NFL MVP
What a year it has been, an incredible year for me personally being able to cover this athletic program. Whether it was calling Soccer, Softball or Volleyball games, covering Indoor Track and Field or any other sport on campus. This was undoubtedly the best year in Texas Tech Athletic Program history and this looks to be only the beginning.
Photo CC: Texas Tech University & The DT
Loading ...