Track Hosts Michael Johnson Classic
4/16/2010 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field
April 16, 2010
Heat Sheets | Schedule of Events | Live Results
WACO, Texas - An elite list of collegians and Olympians, has been assembled for the annual Michael Johnson Classic, hosted by Baylor University at the Hart-Patterson Track and Field Complex on Saturday, April 17. Field events begin at 9:30 a.m., while prelims of the running events start at 11 a.m. and finals begin at 5 p.m.
The Bears will welcome Big 12 rivals Texas A&M, Texas, and Colorado, along with a host of talented schools including George Mason, SMU, Rice, Sam Houston State, and Texas State. The meet will also feature representatives from eight different professional clubs including Nike, Adidas, Saucony, Metroplex Striders, World Express, USA Next Level, USA All-Stars, and Southwest Sprinters.
Headlining the field on the women's side, is Sanya Richards-Ross, the current IAAF Track Athlete of the Year, IAAF Track Athlete of the Decade, and defending 400-meter World Champion. Two more former Olympians, including LaShauntea Moore and Marshevet Hooker-Myers will compete on the women's side, along with world-class sprinters Bianca Knight and Alexandria Anderson.
On the men's side, Olympian and two-time NCAA Champion Wallace Spearmon, along with this season's World Indoor runner-up at 60 meters Mike Rodgers, will both be in action. Also for the men, Olympian Darvis "Doc" Patton and world-class sprinter Mickey Grimes are set to compete.
For Baylor, after a successful weekend at the Texas Relays, then a weekend off, the Bears will look to move up the NCAA charts on their home track. At Texas, Baylor won their first 4x100-meter relay title in 47 years with the second-fastest time in the nation. Marcus Boyd, Whitney Prevost, Courtney Thomas, and Trey Harts raced the baton around the track in 39.18 seconds, the fourth-fastest time in Baylor history.
Baylor placed in the top three in six different relays, including five on the men's side. The men's sprint crew was busy after winning the 4x100, placing second in the 4x400, third in the 4x200 and third in the sprint medley. The Baylor men also placed third in the 4x800-meter relay, while women were third in the distance medley relay.
Also at the meet, two of Baylor's throwers left their mark in the school record books. Javelin thrower Nick Lyons demolished his previous school record of 218-05 with heave of 239-07 to win his section of the javelin. Freshman Skylar White also broke her own school record in the shot put with a throw of 50-02.75, nearly two feet better than the previous record. White also won her section of the discus with a career-best toss of 168-11.
Baylor's 14-member senior class will be honored prior to the start of the evening session of running events. Also, the Baylor "B" Association will honor this year's Baylor Track Legends, which includes the 1998 women's 4x400-meter relay team of Angelique (Banket) Cunningham, Alayah Cooper, Yulanda Nelson, and Jennifer (Jordan) Washington, and the 1965 men's sprint medley relay team of Wayne Brandt, Pat Rogers, Dick Bourland, and Rex Garvin.
Players Mentioned
