PHOTO COURTESY UTRGV ATHLETICS
Nayla Harris, a senior sprinter for the UTRGV Women’s Track & Field, has emerged as one of the top sprinters in the nation, helping lead the program to the 2026 Southland Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships while earning a spot in the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships.
“Just because they don’t know my name yet, doesn’t mean that I’m an underdog,” Harris said. “I’m still there to take everything that they thought they had.”
According to a March 3 news release, she has had a “stellar” regular season, going undefeated and earning three SLC Women’s Track Athlete of the Week awards.
Harris competed in the SLC Indoor Championships on Feb. 26 and defended her women’s 60-meter dash title while also earning two bronze medals in the 200-meter dash and long jump at the Birmingham CrossPlex in Birmingham, Alabama.
Head coach Shareese Hicks said the conference is “so competitive,” and her success is huge.
“To walk away with a championship title, for the second time … is amazing,” Hicks said.
Her success also helped the women’s track and field team earn its first conference title in indoor program history, according to the news release.
Harris said she “knew the gold was going to happen,” and was grateful to help her team take home the championship title.
Hicks also credits Harris’ leadership and dedication as a “contributing factor” to winning the conference championships.
“Her work ethic is through the roof,” she said. “She trains at a high intensity. She’s pushing herself very much in the weight room, and I’ve seen that change in dynamic going throughout our women’s team.”
Hicks credits Harris’ mentality for her accomplishments this season.
“Her mindset this year has been unstoppable,” the head coach said. “You have to be mentally tough and mentally strong to have an undefeated season in the state of Texas.”
Harris is not only among the top in the state, but in the nation as a whole. Currently, she is tied for 11th in the nation with her personal program and SLC record time of 7.18 in the 60-meter dash, according to the news release.
“I’m just glad to know that I’m up there and close enough to get what I want,” she said. “And I feel like the times are not really that far apart, so it could really be anybody’s game. It’s just who wants it more.”
The record secured her spot in the women’s 60-meter dash at the NCAA Indoor Championships, where only the top 16 Division I athletes are able to compete, according to Hicks.
Harris said being able to compete in the championship is “very special” to her.
“This is the hardest thing to get qualified for,” she said. “It’s such a small group of people who are good enough to be in it. So, I’m excited to go run and spread the word on UTRGV.”
According to Harris, the “little things” are what allowed her to get where she is today, adding they can make a big difference.
“Watching film over and over to see how I can get better and fix what there is to fix,” she said. “Then, asking questions to make sure I can get every bit of information I need to get better.”
The sprinter said she has gained more confidence throughout her career, not just in herself but also in her training, in her coach, in her well-being and in God.
Even with her confidence, Harris said, “there’s always some nerves” when lining up. However, one thing gets her back on track.
“I pray every single time,” she said. “After I pray, I don’t think about it anymore because I know it’s in God’s hands. That gives me all the confidence I need.”
While Harris prepares for the NCAA Indoor Championship, Hicks said she will leave an impact extending far beyond her accomplishments.
“Nayla Harris is going to be remembered as the first,” she said. “A lot of people go to visit the Eiffel Tower, [the] Great Wall of China or the pyramids, but who built it?”
The head coach said Harris is laying the foundation for what the program can become.
“She is the person that the longevity of this program and the heights that this program is going to reach started with,” she said.
The NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships will take place Friday and Saturday at the Randal Tyson Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
