News release from Texas A&M Athletics:
BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION – Texas A&M track & field head coach Pat Henry announced the addition of former A&M national champion Olivia Ekponé to his staff as an athletic assistant Monday. Ekponé will oversee the operations of the program, while also handling recruitment for the team.
“We’re very excited to have Olivia [Ekponé] joining our staff,” Henry said. “She’s won a conference and national championship with our team and has a lot of experience in Aggieland. She’s joining us from a similar environment covering our sport in a great way, and we’re excited to have her back with us.”
“I’m honored to join Coach Henry and to work alongside his coaching and support staff,” Ekponé said. “I have so much respect for Coach Henry and have been in awe of how he’s elevated the track & field and cross country programs in Aggieland over the years.”
Ekponé was a four-year letterwinner and 12-time All-American for the Maroon & White. She played a key role in securing the women’s team’s fourth NCAA outdoor championship in 2014 and the program’s first SEC outdoor team title in 2013. She also anchored the women’s 4x100m relay team to a national title at the 2014 outdoor meet, winning the final in 42.80. Her outstanding performances won her SEC Runner of the Year honors in 2014, and helped guide the team to another trio of top-three program finishes during her time as a student-athlete.
She also etched her name in the Aggie history books, as Ekponé remains the school-record holder in the women’s outdoor 200m with a time of 22.23, as well as ranking in the top-10 in both the indoor 60m (7.25) and outdoor 100m (11.11).
“Words can’t describe how excited I am to be back in Aggieland wearing the Maroon & White,” Ekponé continued. “This is truly a full-circle moment. I was one of Coach Henry’s athletes from 2011-2015 and I’ve seen success as a student-athlete. This time around, I return as the athletic assistant. I’m looking forward to being a part and working with this talented team.”
Following her graduation, Ekponé stayed in the track & field world, as she worked for MileSplit and FloTrack in a sports media roll covering athletes from the youth to professional levels.
To learn more about Texas A&M Track & Field/Cross Country, visit 12thMan.com and follow @aggietfxc.