Kilgore athletes qualify to State Games of Texas

Published 8:00 am Friday, July 18, 2025

TYLER — Nine Kilgore athletes have qualified to the State Games of Texas after competing at the Texas Amateur Athletic Foundation (TAAF) Region 6 meet on Saturday at Tyler Legacy High School.

The top three contestants per event at TAAF regional meets get to advance to the State Games set for July 31 to Aug. 3 at E.B. Cushing Stadium in College Station.

Representing the Super Sport Athletes track and field club of Kilgore, Kason Allison placed first in the 10U boys 400m dash (1:12.47), Kyier Bell was first in the 12U boys long jump (15-6) and Kerrington Bell won the 16U girls triple jump (36-0).

Dequan McGraw qualified in second in both the 8U boys 100m dash (15.81) and 200m (33.69) and will make his second consecutive trip to state.

Kingston Hardison also qualified in second place in two events: the 6U boys 50m dash (9.68) and 100m dash (17.72).

Branalyn Smith earned second in the 14U girls 100m dash (13.65) and third in the 200m (28.07).

Meleigha Coleman placed third in the 6U girls 50m dash (10.11) and third in the 100m dash (19.88).

Infinity Mumphrey was second in the 8U girls 400m dash (1:26.12), qualifying to state for the third consecutive year.

Arianna Gardner took third in the 14U girls 100m dash (14.42). Liz Gardner came in fourth in the same race (14.52).

Super Sport Athletes was started by their head coach CJ Jackson in 2022 and on average trains 35 student athletes iin grades K-12 a season. This past season, they competed in nine circuit meets before the Region 6 qualifier, traveling to cities like Texarkana, Arlington, Center, and Crockett. They often collaborate with nearby track clubs, giving the kids opportunities to make friends and train with other teams.

“These kids really enjoy pushing themselves to the limit,” says Jackson. “We practice three times a week in hot and humid conditions for a couple of hours a day. They understand the level of competition on Saturday mornings and they are committed to show what they can do!”

Jackson is a Kilgore native and was inspired to start Super Sport Athletes to enable local kids to meet their athletic potential.

“This group of kids has taken ownership for Super Sport Track and I enjoy coaching them. Giving them the thought & opportunity to compete holds weight,” he says.

The Region 6 meet fielded athletes from track and field clubs around East Texas and further out including Whitehouse/Tyler Metro Track, Jet Runners (Henderson), Crockett Elite, DETX Track Club (Angelina County), Dynasty Track (Lufkin), 5 STAAR (Center), Running Mavs (Marshall), Elite Raiders (Longview), Houston County Youth Track and All Day Athlete Association (Sunnyvale).