Bears Post Strong Showing At Gator Invitational
8/14/2000 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field
Feb. 6, 2000
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - The Baylor Bears faced their toughest competition of the indoor season at the Gator Invitational in Gainesville, Fla. and came away with seven first place finishes.
Brandon Couts won the men's 400 meter race and automatically qualified for the NCAA Championships with a season best 46.18. Couts then helped the 4x400 meter relay team to a meet best and automatic qualifying time of 3:07.69. The men's distance medley relay team also won their event with a time of 10:05.82. Aaron Ward claimed first in the 5,000 meters with a time of 15:22.43, while Jim Autenreith won another vaulting title at a height of 16-02.75.
For the women, Karin Ernstrom won the 3,000 meter race with a mark of 9:36.04. Former Baylor distance standout Sherri Smith took second with a 9:39.42 and the Bears' Kara Newton was third with a 9:47.25. Cecilia Jeverstam had the team's other first place finish with a time of 17:56.55 in the 5,000 meters.
The women's 4x400 meter relay team set their top time of the season, running a provisional time of 3:40.47 to finish second behind the University of Florida (3:38.04). Rachal Roessler bested her school record mark in the weight throw by tossing a 49-3 3/4.
The Bears have two more weekends of meets before turning their attention to the 2000 Big XII Indoor Championships. The meet will be held on Feb. 25-26 at Iowa State University.
