Melissa High School’s Girls Track and Field team had four athletes compete at the 2026 UIL 5A State Track and Field Meet, bringing home outstanding 2nd and 3rd place finishes.
The Girls 4x200M Relay Team consisting of Khobi Branch, Haven Scott, Hikmah Abdul Hameed, and Kennedy Branch earned the title of State Runner Up while breaking their school record for the fifth and final time this season with an incredible finish of 1:37.29.
“What makes this team special is the heart behind it. The coaches, athletes, and parents pour so much love and effort into every practice, every meet, and every athlete,” shared senior Hikmah Abdul-Hammed. “No accomplishment ever goes unnoticed, whether it’s a school record, a personal best, or simply finishing a race you once thought you couldn’t. Every achievement is celebrated because every athlete matters. That's why this experience and my time here at Melissa will be treasured.”
Capping off her outstanding high school career, Kennedy Branch also earned a podium finish in the Girls 100M Dash, placing 3rd and setting a new school record with a time of 11.39.
“Placing 3rd in the 100 and 2nd in the 4x2, the medals will never mean as much as everything it took to get there: the pain, pressure, sacrifices, and all the days I was exhausted and didn’t feel like working but kept going anyway,” shared senior Kennedy Branch. “Nobody really sees the doubts, the failures, or the hours put in when nobody’s watching. That’s what made these moments worth more than any medal ever could.”
“Words cannot express how proud we are of these young ladies,” shared Girls Track and Field Coach Zach Hernandez. “Years of persistent work, growth, and program development finally came together, not only giving us the opportunity to send more athletes to the state meet year after year, but also allowing us to watch these girls stand on the podium as some of the fastest girls in the state. Seeing that moment was nothing short of emotional and fulfilling for me as a coach.”
We are incredibly proud of these athletes and all of the hard work, determination, and dedication they showed throughout the season. Congratulations on an unforgettable finish and an amazing representation of Melissa at state.