June 7, 2004

WACO, Texas - Baylor sophomore Jeremy Wariner (Grand Prairie, Texas) was named the Mondo Midwest Region Track Athlete of the Year, the United States Track Coaches Association announced today.

Wariner came from behind to edge junior teammate Darold Williamson (San Antonio, Texas) to win the 400-meter title at the NCAA Midwest Regional May 29 with a time of 44.50, the fastest time in the country and currently the second-fastest in the world. Wariner then led the 4x400 relay to gold, and they also hold the fastest time in the country this season at 3:01.06.

Wariner was the Big 12 and NCAA champion indoors and was disqualified after finishing first at the Big 12 Outdoor Championships. Williamson, who won the Big 12 outdoor title and was named Big 12 Outdoor Athlete of the Year and has the second-fastest time in the nation at 44.51, is the only runner to beat Wariner this year. The pair has only been beaten by each other in 15 meets this season, and with Wariner running the third leg and Williamson anchoring, the 4x400 relay is also undefeated, including clocking a record time to win the national indoor title in 3:03.96.

Mondo, which sponsors the award, is the world's largest supplier of track and field surfaces and is the official supplier of all tracks and equipment for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

Wariner and the Bears are preparing for the 2004 NCAA Outdoor Championships, which begin Wednesday at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin, Texas.