Completed Event: Track and Field at Battle on the Bayou on April 3, 2026 ,
Final
Track and Field
at Battle on the Bayou
University of Oklahoma Athletics
Cates Forced To Withdraw From Second Day Of Texas A&M Multis
March 15, 2002 | Track and Field
March 15, 2002
COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Junior Taylor Cates, who was in 12th place after the first day of the College Station Multis Festival, was forced to withdraw today from the second day of competition because of an injury. Cates had sprained an ankle earlier this week in practice and, after one day of competition, could not continue because of the injury.
"Taylor really tried hard to battle through the ankle sprain," said Jill Lancaster, co-head coach. "She posted some good marks yesterday, especially considering the injury, but her ankle was just too swollen and sore today to continue. We decided it would be in her best interest to get treatment on the ankle today so she will be in a position to get in some serious training next week in Florida. She's disappointed that she had to withdraw but knows this is the best decision for the long term. You'd hate to lose a lot of the season because you didn't take care of an injury. A little time off now will pay bigger dividends later in the season and we have a whole lot of season left."
Cates finished the first day with 2,796 points. She scored consistent points in the 100-meter hurdles, the high jump and the 200-meter dash. Her lowest scoring event of the first day of competition was the shot put. None of the marks Thursday were career bests for her but all were close to or better than what she posted during the first day of competition last year. She was just nine points behind where she was after the first day of competition last year. Her time in the hurdles (15.52) and her height in the high jump (5-2.5) both earned higher points than she produced in those events last year at this meet. The final three events of the heptathlon the she missed today were the long jump, javelin and 800-meter run.
She was third in the bronze division of the heptathlon of this meet last year while competing unattached as she sat out a transfer year.
Cates and Lancaster will leave Saturday to join the more than 50 Sooner student-athletes, coaches and staff who left today for the Hurricane Invitational in Miami. The Sooners will remain in Florida to train during OU's spring break, then will end the week by competing in the Golden Panther Invitational, hosted by Florida International in Miami, March 22-23.
Summary of Cates' First Day Totals:
Total Points/Place: 12th with 2,796
100 hurdles: 15.52 (774); high jump: 5-2.5 (724); shot put: 33-4.75 (541); 200 dash: 26.47 (757)
Saturday, June 13
Friday, June 12
Thursday, June 11
Wednesday, June 10
