Six Cougars Tabbed as USTFCCCA All-Americans

HOUSTON – After having their season cut short, six University of Houston Track & Field student-athletes have been recognized by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association as All-Americans for the 2020 NCAA Indoor Track & Field season.

Three men and three women earned the distinction after qualifying for the 2020 NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships that were cancelled due to COVID-19. Taylor Scaife, Naomi Taylor, Tristan Evelyn, Travis Collins, Antonio Ruiz and Dayo Akindele highlight the 2020 All-Americans for the Cougars.

For the second straight season, Taylor Scaife earns All-America honors. Scaife was well into a stellar senior season at Houston, with the third-best mark in the weight throw in the NCAA at 22.98m (75-1.25). The back-to-back American Athletic Conference weight throw champion defended her title in the event at the league championships, earning American ITF Most Outstanding Performer honors. Scaife currently holds the program record in the event.

Naomi Taylor continues to be a force for the Cougars, earning All-America honors for the second straight indoor season. A two-time American ITF Champion in the 60-meter hurdles, Taylor shattered her own meet record in the event at the 2020 American Championships to earn American ITF Most Outstanding Performer honors. Taylor was primed for her second straight NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships where she would compete in the 60-meter hurdles for the second straight season after taking fourth-place in the event at the 2019 NCAA Championships.

Tristan Evelyn hit her stride at the right time, capturing titles in both the 60-meters and 200-meters at The American Championships, qualifying for the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships. This marks Evelyn's first NCAA All-America nod.

On the men's side, Antonio Ruiz helped anchor the Houston pole vaulters taking second-place in the event at The American Championships and shattering the program record twice during the season. Ruiz qualified for the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships with the 10^th-best mark in the NCAA for the 2019-20 ITF season. This marks Ruiz's second All-American accolade after earning Second Team All-America honors in 2018.

Travis Collins helped to continue the sprints tradition at Houston, taking first-place in the 60-meters at The American Championships, earning Most Outstanding Performer honors. Collins posted a PR of 6.61 to win the title, qualifying for the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships with the 10^th-fastest time of he 2019-20 season among collegians.

Dayo Akindele came to Houston and made an immediate impact, winning the long jump title and shattering the meet record in the 60-meter hurdles at The American Championships. Akindele was set for his first appearance at the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships holding the 14^th-fastest time in the 60-meter hurdles among collegians for the 2019-20 season. This marks Akindele's first Indoor Track & Field All-America honor.

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--UHCougars.com--

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Dayo Akindele

Travis Collins

Tristan Evelyn

Antonio Ruiz

Taylor Scaife

Naomi Taylor

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