March 6, 2007

WACO, Texas - Senior sprinter Reggie Witherspoon was named South Central Region Co-Athlete of the Year by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association it was announced on Tuesday.

"This is a tremendous honor and blessing for Reggie," said head coach Todd Harbour. "He is an outstanding young man, and we are happy that good things are coming his way. He has worked extremely hard this season, and has earned this honor."

Leo Manzano of Texas was also named Co-Athlete of the Year for the South Central Region. Manzano clocked 3:58.78 in winning his third straight mile title at the Big 12 Championships.

Witherspoon (Marietta, Ga.) won the 200 meters and 400 meters at the Big 12 Indoor Championships for the second straight year. In 2006, he became the first athlete in Big 12 history to win both the indoor 200- and 400-meter crowns.

The senior ran a season-best time of 45.91 to lead the Bears to a sweep of the 400 meter event. His time ranks first in the nation, becoming the only collegiate runner this season to break the 46-second barrier.

Witherspoon also took top honors in the 200 meter as Baylor finished one-two in that event, with Trey Harts (Lake Charles, La.) taking second. Witherspoon's time of 20.73 ranks him third in the nation this season.

He was named Top Point Performer at the Big 12 Championships for the second straight season, and earned Big 12 Indoor Male Athlete of the Year honors for the second consecutive year.

The men's team moved up one position to fifth in the final USTFCCCA rankings. Baylor dropped four spots to number nine in the final trackshark.com poll.

Baylor returns to action this weekend as the Bears will take five individuals and two relay teams to the 2007 NCAA Indoor Championships at Randal Tyson Track Center in Fayetteville, Ark.

USTFCCCA Final Men's Indoor Rankings

1. Wisconsin

2. Florida State

3. Texas

4. Auburn

5. Baylor

6. Washington

7. Tennessee

8. Stanford

9. Oregon

10. LSU

11. Clemson

12. Louisville

13. Florida

14. Oklahoma

15. Kansas

16. Northern Iowa

17. Michigan

18. Idaho

19. Arkansas

20. UTEP