Texas State Athletics

Former Olympian Brigitte Foster-Hylton was a two-year letterwinner for the Texas State track and field team from 1996-1998. As a sprinter and hurdler, Foster-Hylton earned All-American honors after finishing third in the 1998 NCAA Outdoor Championships in the 100-meter hurdles and captured 6 Southland Conference individual titles. She is the only four-time Olympian in Texas State history. 

Foster-Hylton began her Texas State career in 1996 after transferring from Wallace State. She had an impressive first year with the Bobcats as she won the Southland Conference’s title in the 55-meter hurdles at the indoor championships. Competing for the first time in the Southland Conference Outdoor Championships, she took won the 100-meter hurdle title and finished fourth in the 200 meter dash.    

After not competing in 1997 due to knee surgery, Foster-Hylton was named the 1998 Southland Conference Outstanding Track Performer of the Year and Athlete of the Year. During the indoor portion of the season, Foster-Hylton claimed the 55-meter hurdles championship with a time of 7.97, a time that is currently second-best in the Bobcats’ program history. Foster-Hylton would go on to capture gold at the Southland Conference Outdoor Championships in the 100 meter dash, 200 meter dash, and the 100-meter hurdles. She qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championships in the 100-meter hurdles and was a first team All-American after finishing 3rd. Her 100-meter hurdle time of 13.13 from that season continues to hold the number three spot in the Texas State record book after holding the top spot for 25 years. Foster-Hylton scored the most points as an individual at the 1998 Southland Conference Outdoor Championships with 33 points. 

At the time of her graduation, Foster-Hylton held the school records for 100 meter dash, 200 meter dash, 55 meter hurdles, and 100 meter hurdles. She currently still holds the 9th-fastest time in 100 meter dash; the 3rd, 6th and 9th fastest times in the 100 meter hurdles; and 2nd fastest time in the 55 meter hurdles.

Foster-Hylton graduated from Texas State with a Bachelor of Arts in speech communication and business administration in 1998.  Upon graduation, Foster-Hylton began competing for Jamaica, her home country as a 100 meter hurdler.  She competed in the 2000, 2004, 2008, and 2012 Olympics, making the finals twice.  Foster-Hylton won the silver medal at the 2003 World Championships and the bronze medal at the 2005 World Championships. Her greatest achievement came in 2009 when she became the world champion in the 100 meter hurdles. Foster-Hylton also earned the Pan-Am Games 100 meter hurdles in 2003 and at the Commonwealth Games in 2006.

Foster-Hylton retired from competitive athletics in 2012 following the London Olympics.  However, she has continued to serve the sport of track and field in numerous ways.  She began her coaching career as a technical hurdles coach at the world-famous MVP Track Club in Kingston, Jamaica.  A number of the athletes she has coached have excelled on the international scene.

Foster-Hylton has received many honors throughout her career.  She was named by the RJR Gleaner Foundation, which recognizes excellence in sports, as the Jamaican Sportswoman of the Year in 2002, 2003, and 2009.  She was named the 2009 Courtney Walsh Award for Excellence, presented by the Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education Fund CHASE.  She has been recognized and awarded by the University of Technology, Jamaica, whose campus serves as the home base for the MVP Club, for her contribution to the development of sports at the University.

Foster-Hylton has voluntarily coached junior athletes in a few schools in Kingston, Jamaica.  She is very active in her church community and has provided commentary at a number of athletic competitions in her home country.

Foster-Hylton currently resides in Kingston, Jamaica with her husband Patick Hylton and their son, Neron.