Nov. 29, 2001

WACO, Texas - Baylor's track and field team will open the 2001-02 indoor season Sat., Dec. 1 at the Oklahoma-hosted All Comers Meet. The meet will be held at the Mosier Indoor Facility with field events beginning at 10 a.m. and track events set to start at 12:30 p.m. However, the schedule will be a rolling time schedule with events going off in a specific order rather than a set time.

The field at the All Comers Meet will include 13 other schools besides Baylor. Participants include Barton, Oklahoma, Oklahoma Baptist, Oklahoma State (women only), Oral Roberts, Southern Methodist, Southern Nazarene, Tulsa, Arkansas (women only), North Texas, Dallas Baptist, Houston Tilloston, and St. Gregory's.

Anchored by five returning All-Americans the Bears will have plenty of talent to draw from entering the 2001 season. Leading the pack will be five-time All-American Michael Smith. Smith has earned outdoor All-American status in the 400 meter hurdles each of the last three years. He has also been a member of two Baylor All-American 4x400 teams.

The other returning All-American on the men's side is pole vaulter Jim Autenreith. Autenreith earned his first All-American title last season placing sixth at the outdoor nationals clearing a height of 17'4.5".

On the women's side, the Bears will be led by eight-time All-American Barbara Petrahn. Last year Petrahn finished fifth in the 400 and fourth as part of the 4x400 team at last year's outdoor national championships. Chava Demart and Tiffany Wise also return to the Lady Bear roster after earning All-American honors as members of 4x400 a year ago.

After this weekend the Bears will have over a month and a half off before continuing the season Jan. 18-19 at the Southwest Indoor Classic in Houston, Texas.