Jan. 16, 2003

WACO, Texas - Head coach Clyde Hart enters his 40th season in charge of the Baylor track and field program as the Bears open the 2003 indoor competition season on Saturday at the Leonard Hilton Memorial Track and Field Meet hosted by the University of Houston. Field events begin at 9 a.m. with running events slated to begin at noon at the Bill Yeoman Field House.

Big 12 foes Texas and Texas A&M join Baylor in the 13-team field, which includes host Houston as well as Hampton, Louisiana Tech, Rice, Sam Houston State, SMU, Southeast Louisiana, Stephen F. Austin, Texas Southern and Texas-San Antonio.

The Baylor men are tied for 18th in the preseason Trackwire 25. The squad returns three of the four 4x400 relay members from the ream that took second at the NCAA Outdoor Championships last season. All-Americans Joel Martin, Robbie Quiroga and Darold Williamson are part of the 4x400 group ranked third in the nation according to the Trackwire Dandy Dozen. Williamson also garnered an individual ranking of fifth in the 400-meters. Also returning for the Bears is distance runner Kyle King, who earned a trip to the NCAA Cross Country Championships during the fall. Along with the rest of the talented returnees, a tremendous cast of newcomers hope to contribute to the team's success.

After a stellar freshman campaign, sophomore All-American April Holliness enters the season ranked eighth in the long jump. She is joined by returning All-America honorees Barbara Petrahn, Tiffany Wise and Danielle Myricks. All three athletes focus on sprints and relays. Also returning for the Bears is 2002 Big 12 10,000-meter champion Debbie Thornhill. The reigning Big 12 cross country Newcomer of the Year will compete in the distance races. The prized cast of returning women will also be aided by the talents of the newcomers.

The Bears will compete on the road throughout the indoor campaign, traveling to Texas Tech on January 25 for their second competition of the season.