Chasing Greatness: Class of 2026 Track and Field Athlete Teresa Malone

Written By: Robert Jager

Track and field is more than just a sport, it is a test of speed, endurance, and mental toughness.

For athletes like Teressa Malone, it is also a journey of self discovery and growth.

Representing Houston, Texas, and the Dragons Youth Track and Field Club, Malone is striving to leave her mark on the sport while chasing the dreams she has carried since the first time she stepped onto the track.

Her Story

Malone, a senior from Houston, Texas, competes with the Dragons Youth Track and Field Club.

A member of the Class of 2026, she specializes in the 100, 200, 400, and long jump, though she has yet to receive any collegiate offers.

Focused and determined, Malone has set ambitious goals, to run in the low 11s in the 100 meters, low 23s in the 200 meters, and a 56 second 400 meters.

Her greatest supporter has been her mother, who has attended every meet, no matter how far, providing unwavering encouragement.

Malone is deeply grateful for this bond, crediting her mother’s presence as a source of strength and motivation. When asked why she chose track and field, Malone explained that she has loved running since she first laid eyes on a track.

The sport not only fuels her competitive spirit, it also strengthens her relationship with her mother.

For Malone, the joy of racing, the roar of the crowd, and the feeling of crossing the finish line are what inspire her to continue chasing greatness.

Dragons Youth Track and Field

The Dragons Youth Track and Field Club was founded in 1994 by Lola and Douglas Wesley, Fred Satchel, Gerald Richards, and Kenneth Wade with the mission of guiding young athletes away from the streets and into a brighter future.

Since then, more than 350 Dragons alumni have gone on to compete at the collegiate level. The program emphasizes not only athletic excellence, but also life skills and education.

“The Dragons provide a safe environment for athletes to learn skills that will help them advance athletically as well as in life,” says Rodney Cole, the club’s current head coach.

Their legacy is impressive, with alumni such as Super Bowl Champion Jalen Hurts and Olympic medalist Anna Cockrell.

Over the years, Dragons athletes have set and broken national records, produced All Americans in sprint events, and even crowned a Race Walk National Champion.

The Dragons Youth Track and Field Club continues to live up to its reputation of producing excellence on and off the track.

Building Champions

With athletes like Teressa Malone carrying the torch, the Dragons Youth Track and Field legacy continues to grow stronger. Her determination, combined with the support of her mother and the foundation provided by the Dragons program, makes her one to watch in the coming seasons.

As she pushes toward her goals and embraces the challenges ahead, Malone exemplifies the spirit of chasing greatness, running not only for victory, but for love, growth, and a future filled with promise.