Baylor

Track and Field Rises to 15th in Latest Ranking

Track & Field 3/5/2008 12:00:00 AM

March 5, 2008

WACO, Texas -

The Baylor men's track and field team jumped four spots to No. 15 in the latest United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association rankings announced on Wednesday. The women's track and field team fell 12 spots to No. 36 in the nation.

The Bears are coming off a ninth place finish at the 2008 Big 12 Indoor Championships after injuries depleted their travel squad for the conference meet. Quentin Iglehart-Summers (11th in the 400m), Whitney Prevost (16th in the 60m) and Jacob Norman (22nd in the 60m) did not travel to Lincoln, Neb. last weekend. Their availability for next weekend's NCAA Indoor Championships is still unknown.

Baylor boosted its ranking with two improvements and a new provisional at the Big 12 meet. LeJerald Betters won the men's 400 meters with a time of 46.67 to improve him to No. 6 overall in the nation. Trey Harts ran 20.90 to win the 200 meters, and is now ranked sixth in the country in that event. Courtney Thomas clocked a personal best time of 21.08 in the 200 meter preliminaries, and ranks 12th in that event.

The Baylor women's team finished sixth at the Big 12 meet last weekend, but saw only one improvement in the national rankings. Danielle Bradley clocked a personal best time of 4:43.27 in the mile to jump eight spots to 23rd nationally. Tiffany Townsend improved her 200 meter time to 23.64, but still fell seven places to 18th in the country. Lauren Hagans still ranks in the top 30 in three different races: 16th in the mile, 17th in the 3,000 meters and 30th in the 800 meters, and Baylor still holds its ranking of second in the nation in the distance medley relay at 11:07.00.

Baylor is off as a team for this weekend, though the Bears may run several individuals at the Arkansas Last Chance Meet. The Bears return to action next weekend as Baylor travels to Fayetteville, Ark. for the fourth time this season for the 2008 NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships. A complete preview, including a listing of athletes declared for the meet, will be available early next week.

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