Written By Rev. Justin C. Jackson

HOUSTON, TX — The blocks are set, the spikes are laced, and the North American University Stallions are ready to hit full stride as they gear up for the 74th Annual TSU Relays, hosted by Texas Southern University. This two-day showdown, taking place Friday and Saturday (March 20–21) at Turner Stadium, is shaping up to be a true test of speed, strength, and Stallion pride.

This isn't just another meet—this is where statements get made.

Leading the charge in the sprint lane is Uros Bekcic, a name that's been building momentum all season. He'll take on the 100 meters and serve as a key leg in both the 4x100m and 4x200m relays—events where chemistry meets pure speed. Right alongside him, Jayden Jackson brings explosive burst in the 100m and long jump, while also contributing to both relay squads, making him a versatile weapon on the track.
    
Uros Beckcic (Left is a 2 Sport Athlete)                   Jayden Jackson (Right 2x Letterman)

Then there's Jamarric Hammond—yes, that Jamarric Hammond. A proven All-American and a two-sport competitor, Hammond brings elite-level competitiveness from the hardwood straight to the runway and the track. He'll compete in the 100m, high jump, and long jump while anchoring both relay teams. That's not just athleticism—that's championship pedigree showing up in multiple arenas.
Jamarric 2x Letterman   

And Hammond isn't alone.
  Nicholas Matchett 2x Letterman

This Stallions squad carries the stamp of All-American excellence and football toughness. Kegwon Palm enters this meet as a USCAA All-American (2025), bringing elite-level speed and discipline into the 100m and 110m high hurdles, along with both relay squads. But what makes this group dangerous isn't just the accolades—it's the grit.

Palm and Nicholas Matchett both earned varsity letters from that legendary NAU Football squad, and you can see it every time they line up. That physicality, that mindset, that "next play" mentality—it translates. Whether it's Palm attacking hurdles with precision or Matchett stepping into the 400m and shot put with power, these are football-built athletes thriving on the track.

That's what you call cross-sport dominance. That's what you call Stallion DNA.
  Kegwon Palm 2x Letterman

In the power and endurance lanes, Aaderius Blanks is set to make noise in the 400m and long jump, while Matchett doubles up in the 400m and shot put—bringing that rare combination of speed and strength. Both will also be critical pieces in the relay rotations, where every second counts.
 Blanks 2x Letterman

Speaking of versatility, the Stallions are rolling out a lineup full of multi-event and multi-sport athletes—competitors who don't just specialize, they adapt. That ability to transition from event to event, from season to season, is what separates good teams from dangerous ones.

On the distance side, Freshman of the Year, Tyler Johns is ready to go the distance—literally. Competing in the 800m, 1500m, and 5000m, Johns will test his grit across multiple disciplines, embodying the Stallion mentality of relentless pursuit.
 NAU Freshman of The Year Cross Country

Rounding out the lineup is Jason Reeves, who will take on the 400m and contribute to both relay teams, adding depth and consistency to a squad that's built to compete from start to finish.
 2 Sport Athlete (1st Year)

And just like every great program, this run doesn't happen without leadership at the top.

At the helm is Head Coach Kenneth Apande, a steady and strategic presence who continues to build the Stallions the right way—event by event, athlete by athlete. Coach Apande isn't just entering competitors; he's developing a culture. One built on discipline, accountability, and execution when the moment calls for it. Under his direction, this program has evolved into a unit that doesn't just show up to meets—they compete with intention.

Right beside him is Assistant Coach and Lead Recruiter Jesse Adams, and make no mistake—his impact is stamped all over this roster. A USCAA All-American and proud North American University alumnus, Adams brings that lived experience back into the program. He's been in these lanes, felt that pressure, and now he's passing that knowledge forward. From recruiting high-level talent to developing multi-event athletes, Adams is helping shape a squad that's as deep as it is dangerous.

Together, Apande and Adams form a coaching duo that blends vision with relatability—one setting the standard, the other reinforcing it with firsthand experience. And when you look at this roster—All-Americans, football lettermen, multi-sport athletes—you're seeing the blueprint come to life in real time.
 
Athletic Director/Head Track Coach Kenneth Apande
 
Assistant Coach Jesse Adams (2xUSCAA All-American)

Bottom line: the Stallions aren't just well-coached… they're well-built.

From sprints to distance, jumps to relays, the Stallions are loaded—not just with talent, but with experience, accolades, and toughness forged across multiple sports. All-Americans. Football letterman. Two-sport athletes. That's the identity rolling into Humble this weekend.

This meet isn't just about times and marks—it's about setting a tone, building momentum, and reminding everybody in the region what Stallion athletics is all about.

So as the sun rises over Humble this weekend, one thing is certain—the Stallions aren't just showing up… they're pulling up with purpose.

Let's ride.