April 19, 2002

Final Stats

WACO, Texas - Baylor track and field freshman Jessa Vacek turned in a gold-medal winning performance in the 3,000-meter steeplechase in first-day action of the Michael Johnson/Southwestern Bell Invitational Friday. Vacek's meet-winning time of 10:55.67 was nearly three seconds ahead of teammate and runner-up Stephanie Bennett's 10:58.24 mark. Also running was junior Leah Marbach, who finished fourth overall with a time of 11:14.50.

On the men's side freshman Jason Baker earned runner-up honors for the Bears in the 3,000-meter steeplechase clocking a time of 9:26.29. Baker finished second to Southwest Texas State's Jose Cervantes' mark of 9:23.54.

In field event action, sophomore Lisa Padon and junior Rebecca Denham placed second and third respectively in the women's pole vault competition. Both Padon's clearance of 10-6 and Denham's mark of 10-0 marked new season bests.

Senior T.J. Henderson came up with a second-place finish for the Bears in the men's pole vault. He cleared 16-0 ? to finish behind San Houston State's Randy Flack (16-6 ?).

Action from the Michael Johnson/Southwestern Bell Invitational will continue tomorrow with field events beginning at 9 a.m. and running events starting at noon.