Los Fresnos’ Brianna Alex signed her intent to run track at the University of Incarnate Word on Friday in the lecture hall at Los Fresnos High School.
UIW, a private four-year school in San Antonio, competes in NCAA Division I and the Southland Conference.
When Alex and her Lady Falcons teammates competed in San Antonio during regional competition, they visited the UIW for a shakeout, or cool-down run.
“From that point on, I really made it my goal to get to that school,” Alex said. “I went to camps there, I went to little events that the school would have and I made it my goal to get to that school. I tried to work hard on the track and in the classroom to get to this point. It was a really big effort from my coaches, my family and friends, and everyone to get me to this point.”
Alex said she will study rehabilitative sciences at UIW. She is slated to compete at the Class 6A state meet in Austin for the second time, after posting a 14.37 in the 100-meter hurdles event at this year’s regional meet.
“It’s up to the kid to take advantage of their opportunities,” Los Fresnos track coach Loy Blackman said. “She would do that on a daily basis. Not only would she do that in my workout, she went to her outside coach and she worked even harder outside of my practice. It didn’t take very long to realize that (Alex) was special, and she could run.”
Blackman said Alex incrementally improved upon her state time from last season, and that the fruits of her labor have paid off with another chance to run at state and to continue running at the Division I level.
Alex said she is excited to attend college away from home, but close enough for her friends and family to visit and see her compete.
“I like that it’s not too far, but not too close,” Alex said. “It will work out really well.”
