Track Adds Cook, Transfers For 2011-12
7/13/2011 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field
July 13, 2011
WACO, Texas - Baylor's track and field team boosted its recruiting class with the addition of state high jump champion Lauren Cook and three talented transfers, head coach Todd Harbour announced on Wednesday.
Cook, an incoming freshman from Liberty, Texas, will be joined by Southern Illinois transfer Erin Atkinson on the women's team, as well as Florida transfer Blake Heriot and Buffalo State transfer Justin Allen for the men. Atkinson specializes in throwing events, while Heriot and Allen will add depth to the Bears' contingent of 200-meter and 400-meter runners. The additions bring the total of newcomers for the 2011-12 season to 21, including 11 women and 10 men.
"We are very excited to be able to add these four talented student-athletes to a great signing class," head coach Todd Harbour said. "Lauren Cook capped off an outstanding senior year with a state title. Erin was one of the top hammer throwers coming out of high school, and she'll be able to join her sister Lynette on the team. For the men, Blake and Justin will provide a lot of depth and join a great group on the men's side."
Cook had a breakout senior season at Liberty High School, winning the Texas UIL 3A state title in the high jump with a clearance of 5-9. She also claimed a 3A regional title in 2011 and ended the season with the fifth-best mark in Texas.
Atkinson, a 2011 NCAA Indoor Championship qualifier for Southern Illinois in the weight throw, ranked among the nation's best in throwing events this season. A sophomore-to-be, Atkinson finished 15th in the weight throw at the indoor nationals and fourth at the Missouri Valley Conference meet with a career-best of 66-06. Outdoors, Atkinson had a solid season in the hammer throw, placing in the top five at three meets and posting a career mark of 198-04. She is a native of St. Louis' Ladue Horton Watkins High School, where she holds the discus record, and will join her sister, Lynette, a 400-meter runner on the Lady Bears' squad.
For the men, Heriot, a sophomore-to-be, turned in a solid freshman season for the Gators, earning all-SEC honors indoors as part of the 4x400-meter relay team that ran their fastest indoor time of the season. Outdoors, Heriot qualified for the NCAA East Regional in the 200 meters finishing 20th overall in the semifinals after advancing out of the prelims with a time of 21.30. He hails from Gahanna, Ohio, where he was the 2009 state champ in the 200 and 400 meters, as well as part of the 2010 World Junior title-winning 4x400-meter relay.
Junior-to-be Allen, will move up the ranks from Division III Buffalo State to join the Baylor men. A 2011 NCAA Champion in the 400 meters, the Mt. Vernon, N.Y., native claimed six SUNYAC titles as well as leading the Bengals to their first ever indoor conference championship. During his time at BSU, Allen earned SUNYAC Runner of the Year and Atlantic Region Runner of the Year honors. He owns personal bests of 47.26 at 400 meters and 21.47 at 200 meters.
Players Mentioned
