April 19, 2004

WACO, Texas - Baylor University juniors Darold Williamson (San Antonio, Texas) and April Holliness (Duncanville, Texas) were named Big 12 Track & Field Athletes of the Week for their outstanding performances Saturday at the Michael Johnson Classic, the conference office announced today. Williamson picks up the third weekly conference honor of his career, second this year, while Holliness earned the award for the first time.

Williamson stunned the crowd by clocking a 44.59 in the 400 meters, the fastest time in the world so far this year and the fastest at Baylor in 14 years. The mark tied Raymond Pierre for second on Baylor's all-time list, behind only the 44.21 by Michael Johnson in 1990. Williamson bested the mark of 45.21 set by sophomore teammate Jeremy Wariner (Grand Prairie, Texas) last week in Tempe, Ariz. Wariner clocked a 44.80, so the Bears now hold the top two spots in the world.

Williamson, a two-time All-American in the 400 and a member of three All-American relays squads, including a pair of NCAA Championships, also helped lead the 4x100-meter relay team to victory with a regional qualifying time of 39.57 and anchored the 4x440-yard relay squad to victory by cruising to a 3:07.06.

Holliness came just shy of her own school record with a mark of 21 feet, 2 inches to win the long jump. The leap is the best in the Big 12 so far and ranks ninth in the world. The three-time All-American holds the school record in the event at 21-4 ?.

Williamson shares the honor with Nebraska pole vaulter Eric Eshbach and Texas Tech 800-meter runner Jonathan Johnson, while Holliness shares the honor with Nebraska discus thrower Becky Breisch and Texas 200-meter runner Sanya Richards.

The Bears return to action at the Big 12 Outdoor Championships April 29-May 1 in Norman, Okla.