When freshman Tshephang Dankuru of South Africa chose Texas State to begin his collegiate track career, it was for a simple reason. A chance to compete and train with the best.
Dankuru didn’t have to look far in San Marcos for competition with the 2025 NCAA national high jump runner-up in senior Aiden Hayes.
“That's something I've always wanted actually,” Dankuru said. “Getting a training partner that actually forces you [to get better] on the day to day is something that's really necessary in order to push your limits. Having a training partner like him helps for example with your development, because seeing him in training, he's been there, done it before. So it's also good to learn from.”
Hayes is no stranger to in-house competition. Last season, the senior from Plano East tied for second at the NCAA National Outdoor Track and Field Championships with teammate Kason O’Riley.
For Hayes, the added competition has made him a better jumper.
“I'm grateful for training partners like them,” Hayes said. “I know I probably wouldn't be as good as I am today if it wasn't for them. So I appreciate them pushing me every day, forcing me to work harder. I'm glad we can all lift each other to higher heights putting Texas State on the map. I'm glad we can go back to nationals and I'm grateful that Tupong is with me on my side this time.”
The duo of Hayes and Dankuru will compete at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships this weekend with a chance to bring home a pair of medals.
At the Sun Belt Conference Indoor Track and Field championships, the duo tied for first place while also breaking the meet record, clearing 7’ 3.25"
Though the goal wasn’t to break the meet record rather just execution, Hayes knew clearing the record-breaking record would push Dankuru to do the same.
“I was just worried about executing,” Hayes said. “Breaking the meet record was kind of just a byproduct of that. I jumped the bar 1st and I knew it was going to push Tshephang to clear it as well. So when he cleared it, I came over and celebrated with him, and we had a great time. It was a great experience.”
Seeing Hayes clear the bar on his first attempt, Dankuru was pushed to meet the mark.
Clearing 7’ 3.25”, Dankuru celebrated with Hayes and High Jump coach Kendall Filip.
“It was honestly amazing, because I know that Coach K has very high standards when it comes to a high jump group,” Dankuru said. “Seeing that basically confirms that we are actually taking a step into the right direction.”
Though Dankuru felt he wasn’t at his best physically, having his teammate, his coach and the support of the Bobcats helped push him into setting the record.
“Looking back into the Sun Belt honesty, it was one of my most interesting meets,” Dankuru said. “I felt not necessarily the best physically, but luckily having coaches and Aiden, for example, pushing you on the side, really flips the switch at the moment. Having the crowd, and genuinely that Bobcat energy that I've experienced for the first time backing you, it's honestly amazing.”
Both Hayes and Dunkuru credit Filip to their collegiate success and her work in making them better than when they first started at Texas State.
“Coach K saw a 6-8 high school kid and has developed me into what I am today,” Hayes said. “Without her, man, I wouldn't even be close to where I am today. I'm just so grateful for a great coach. I've always believed in her, and I know she's always believed in me. Nationals was always the goal so I'm just grateful to be here and I'm glad Tapong was here as well.”
For Dunkuru, having Filip as a coach is everything he wants in order to become better.
“I just basically like the fact that Coach K micromanages everything that we do,” Dunkuru said. “From the weight room, all the way on the track. So it's really nice having a coach like that finally. Iit's something that I felt was necessary in order to kind of really blossom.”
Hayes and Dunkuru will compete Friday 1:45 p.m. at NCAA Indoor Championships. The meet will be streamed on ESPN+.
