May 31, 2003
The Baylor track and field team had another solid day at the NCAA Midwest Regional, which is being held at the University of Nebraska's Ed Weir Track Stadium. There were 39 teams eligible for the meet for both the men's and women's competitions. The women scored 44 points to finish fourth while the men were ninth with 33 points.
Sophomore Lakadron Ivery continued to run well. After clocking a school-record time of 11.28 in the 100 on Friday, she took the regional title in the event today with a time of 11.46. She followed that up by taking the title in the 200 as well. With a time of 23.05, just shy of her school record time of 22.87, Ivery crossed the finish line a few meters ahead of the remainder of the field.
"It was a good meet for me. I came to advance," Ivery said. As for setting two school records and winning two events, she added: "I really wasn't thinking about that going into the meet. I just wanted to move on. Hopefully I can break my records again soon."
The men's 4x400 relay also was victorious. Baylor and Texas Tech battled for the victory, at times matching each other step for step. Tech had a slight lead when Darold Williamson took the baton for the anchor leg of the race. In the home stretch he came from behind to claim the victory for the Bears. Williamson teamed with Jeremy Wariner, Jamen Saziru and Brian McDonald to clock a 3:03.21, the second-fastest relay time of the year to take the title.
In the open 400, Williamson ran a career-best time of 44.95 to finish second. Williamson advanced to the national meet in the event for the second-straight year. Minnesota's Mitch Potter ran a nation-leading time of 44.93 to win the race. Freshman Jeremy Wariner, who previously had the best collegiate time in the country (45.13), finished eighth with a time of 46.69.
The women's 4x100 relay once again opened the competition with a solid race. The foursome of Marquisha Sefas, April Holliness, Elizabeth Wilson and Ivery clocked a 44.36, their fastest time of the year, to finish second and advance to the NCAA Championships.
In the men's 400 intermediate hurdles, Jordan Lewis ran a season-best time of 50.99 to finish fourth and advance to the NCAA meet. Seth Billy finished seventh with a time of 51.43.
Four Bears ran in the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase. Senior Stephanie Bennett led the pack, finishing seventh with a time of 10:50.31. Freshman Angela Marvin took eighth place with a 10:54.69. Senior Leah Marbach clocked a 10:59.17 to finish ninth. Sophomore Jessa Vacek finished 10th in a time of 11:02.82.
Freshman Wil Fitts finished seventh in the 800 with a time of 1:50.95.
The women's 4x400 relay group of Danielle Myricks, Shanta Bibbs, Tiffany Wise and Ivery finished seventh in its heat and eighth overall with a time of 3:37.90.
In field events, Jordan Willmann cleared 5-7 to tie for 14th in the high jump. In the discus, Eboni Hammond recorded a 139-8 to finish 23rd.
"We had several great performances," head coach Clyde Hart said. "Overall, we accomplished a lot. Several athletes like Jordan Lewis and April Holliness fought for a place at the national meet. Without a doubt, Lakadron Ivery was the most outstanding performer of the meet."
Overall five individuals and two relays qualified for the NCAA Championships. At-large bids will be announced early in the week. Sacramento State University hosts the NCAA Championships June 11-14 in Sacramento, Calif.
NCAA Qualifiers
Lakadron Ivery (100; 200)
Debbie Thornhill (5,000; 10,000)
April Holliness (Long Jump)
Women's 4x100
Darold Williamson (400)
Jordan Lewis (400 hurdles)
Kyle King (5,000)
Men's 4x400
