TF Releases Challenging 2012 Schedule
10/7/2011 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field
Oct. 7, 2011
Complete 2012 Schedule
WACO, Texas- Baylor track and field head coach Todd Harbour released a strong 2012 schedule, which includes the annual Michael Johnson/Dr Pepper Classic hosted by the Bears.
"It's another really good schedule indoor and outdoor," Harbour said. "It gives our athletes a chance to run on some great tracks and compete at some great venues."
Baylor has seven meets, including the Big 12 Conference and NCAA championships meets, during the indoor season, followed by a total of nine meets during the outdoor season.
Indoors, Baylor will travel to Texas A&M on three occasions, including the season opening Texas A&M Invitational on Jan. 14 and the Big 12 Indoor Championships on Feb. 24-25. The Bears will also travel to College Station, Texas, in the last meet prior to the league championships for the Texas A&M Open on Feb. 11.
Two out-of-state trips highlight the early part of the indoor season, first trekking to Fayetteville, Ark., for the Arkansas Invitational. One week later, Baylor will make a return trip to the prestigious New Balance Invitational in New York City, N.Y.
After the conference championships, Harbour has one open weekend scheduled for a to-be-announced last chance qualifying meet just prior to the NCAA Indoor Championships in Nampa, Idaho, on March 9-10.
"Indoor, I think we have an opportunity to be on some of the fastest tracks in the country," Harbour said. "We have a chance to experience some great places, so I like the schedule."
Outdoors, Baylor opens year with the TCU Invitational in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 17, followed by a trip east to the UCF Invitational in Orlando, Fla., on March 23-24. The Bears will then take the short trip to Austin, Texas, for the Texas Relays on March 28-31 prior to Easter weekend.
After a meet at Texas Tech on April 14, Baylor will host a solid field in the annual Michael Johnson/Dr Pepper Classic on April 21. The Bears will then travel to Des Moines, Iowa, for the Drake Relays on April 26-28 in the last meet prior to the Big 12 Outdoor Championships in Manhattan, Kan., on May 11-13.
From there, Baylor will travel back to Austin for the NCAA West Preliminary Rounds on May 24-26 to try to qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Des Moines, Iowa on June 6-9.
"Getting to go to Orlando, and the Drake and Texas Relays, make for a great schedule outdoors," Harbour said. "We will have a great field at our home meet, and then head back to Des Moines for the national championships. We are looking forward to a great season."
