Feb. 3, 2002
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - In front of the largest crowd in Tyson Invitational history (4,386) Baylor's men's and women's 4x400 relay teams, as well as seniors Jim Autenreith and Lanie Millar, all posted NCAA provisional qualifying marks here Saturday evening.
The men's 4x400 relay team, consisting of Zsolt Szeglet, Michael Smith, Joel Martin, and Darold Williamson, improved upon its best time of the season by over six seconds finishing with a provisional time of 3:08.27. The Bears were narrowly edged out of a first place finish as Williamson, the Bear's anchor, came from behind to pass South Carolina to move into second, and almost caught Auburn at the finish line, but fell short as Auburn's final time eclipsed the Bears mark by .20 seconds.
On the women's side the quartet of Jasmine Esiere, Chava Demart, Tiffany Wise and Barbara Petrahn matched the men's accomplishment, posting a provisional qualifying mark while running to a third place finish in a season-best time of 3:38.96. Running the anchor leg, Petrahn blew by host Arkansas to claim the third place spot and solidify the Bears best time of the season by nearly 11 seconds.
In individual action senior Lanie Millar turned in her best time of the season in the 800 meters (2:08.28) to become just the third Baylor individual to provisionally qualify for the NCAA's. Millar shaved over two seconds off her previous season-best mark to place second in the seeded competition.
Also reaching provisional qualifying standards was senior pole vaulter Jim Autenreith. Autenreith's clearance of 17-6 1/2 marked a season-best height and the second time this year he has posted a provisional mark.
Despite not recording provisional marks, several Baylor athletes still had outstanding performances. Williamson finished second in the seeded 400-meter race to former Baylor runner and 12-time All-American Brandon Couts. The freshman posted a season-best time of 47.27 to Couts' mark of 46.49. Also running in the race was senior Zsolt Szeglet who finished sixth with a season-best mark of 47.54.
Returning for the second day of action in the 60-meter hurdles freshman Chris Gillis finished 11th in the event with a PR time of 8.32.
Baylor track and field will be back in action next weekend when it travels to Houston, Texas to compete in the Houston/Runsport All-Comers, Fri-Sat., Feb. 8-9.
Complete results from the Tyson Invitational can be found at either www.ladybacks.com or www.hogwired.com.
