Olympic Send-Off Planned for Wariner, Williamson
7/26/2004 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field
July 26, 2004
WACO, Texas - A send-off celebration will be held for Baylor's Jeremy Wariner (Grand Prairie, Texas) and Darold Williamson (San Antonio, Texas) Thursday, July 29 at Richland Mall from 5:30-7 p.m. before they head to the Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, as part of the United States Track & Field Team.
"This will be a great opportunity for the Waco community to come out, meet and support our gold medal hopefuls in the upcoming Athens Summer Games," legendary Baylor track and field coach Clyde Hart said. "Given the seasons these two athletes have had, it would be a tremendous boost for both of them if we can really rally behind them as a community and give them a memorable send-off."
In addition to an autograph session and a short speaking program hosted by John Morris, the first 75 kids will receive a special "Going for the Gold" T-shirt. The event will be held in the courtyard outside of Hibbett Sports. A complimentary photo will be available, but other items may be brought for signing.
Wariner posted the fastest time in the world this year to win the 400 meters in 44.37 at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Sacramento, Calif. Wariner was named the Mondo Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year as well as the Midwest Region Track Athlete of the Year. He claimed the NCAA 400-meter titles both indoors and outdoors and ran the third leg on the 4x400-meter relay squad which captured both NCAA championships as well. The indoor 4x400-meter squad clocked a collegiate record time of 3:03.96, while Wariner set stadium records in the 400-meter final at both events.
Williamson had the second-fastest collegiate time in the country behind Wariner at 44.51. Williamson finished fourth in the 400 indoors and sixth outdoors for his fifth All-America honor and ran the anchor leg on Baylor's indoor and outdoor national champion 4x400-meter relay teams. He also captured his third-straight Big 12 Conference 400-meter outdoor title to earn Big 12 Outdoor Athlete of the Year honors.
Richland Mall is located at the intersection of Hwy. 6 and Waco Dr. (Hwy. 84). The track and field events at the Olympic Games will be held Aug. 20-29 and televised on NBC.
