Wariner Named Mondo Athlete of the Week
4/17/2003 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field
April 17, 2003
WACO, Texas - After being named Athlete of the Week by both the Big 12 and Trackshark earlier in the week, Baylor freshman Jeremy Wariner received a third honor, this time earning the Mondo track and field honors.
Running the open 400 for the first time since cramping up at the NCAA Indoor Championships in mid-March, Wariner clocked the fastest time in the nation, a 45.13, at Arizona State's Sun Angel Classic. He was the overall winner, defeating World Champion Avard Moncur (45.50) of the Auburn Elite team. Wariner's time was the fastest 400 race by a Baylor athlete in three years.
In the final event of the night, Wariner anchored the men's 4x400 relay team to a second-place finish. Wariner took the baton with the team in third place, significantly behind the leading Arizona State Sun Devils. With a blazing split of 43.72, Wariner nearly chalked up the come-from-behind victory, but the Bears finished second with a time of 3:04.68, just shy of the Sun Devils (3:04.44).
Both the open and the relay times easily exceeded the NCAA regional qualifying standards. Wariner is the first Baylor track and field athlete to be recognized by the Big 12, Trackshark or Mondo this season.
Coaches submit nominations for the Mondo award, and an eight-member panel of journalists selects the Athlete of the Week.
The Bears will entertain the home crowd this weekend, hosting the Michael Johnson Classic Friday and Saturday, Apr. 18-19. Field events begin at 3:30 p.m. Friday with the pole vault and the hammer throw. The 3,000-meter steeplechase also will be contested on Friday with the women starting at 8 p.m. followed by the men at 8:15. The field events kick off the Saturday action at 9 a.m. with the running prelims scheduled for noon and the finals starting around 6 p.m.
