Nov. 16, 2004
WACO, Texas - The Baylor track & field team has signed Erin Bedell, Quentin Summers, Racheal Long, Jacob Norman and Kaleigh Teel to National Letters of Intent, head coach Clyde Hart announced Tuesday.
"We're very happy with our signings," Hart said. "We think we filled some of our needs for the future and added quality athletes who will help our men's and women's teams and our cross country teams."
Bedell, from Plano West High School, is the sister of current freshman Lyndsy Bedell, who has been solid on the Bears' NCAA-bound cross country squad all season. Erin broke the state record in the mile earlier this year with a time of 4:43.71 to capture the state title, then went on to claim the Golden West championship in the event. Erin also holds the fourth-best time in Texas history in the 800 meters with a time of 2:08.4. This fall, she broke the state meet course record with a time of 10:39.20 en route to the Class 5A state individual championship.
"The highlight of our class is Erin Bedell," Hart said. "She is not only one of the top female distance runners in Texas, she's one of the best in the United States. We also signed some other great athletes, though, and I believe they can come in and help us immediately."
Summers, from Madison High School in San Antonio, ran a personal best 47.71 in the 400 meters at the AAU Regional, then anchored his summer track team's mile relay with a time of 46.7.
Long, from Lamar High School in Houston, has a personal best time of 42.48 in the 300-meter intermediate hurdles, which placed fourth at the Texas 5A championships and ranks 11th in the country. Her personal best in the 100 hurdles is 14.27.
Norman, from Temple High School, is the Class 5A state champion in the 100 meters and took the 100-meter title at Texas Relays. He has a personal best time of 10.37 in the 100, which ranks 11th in the nation.
Teel, from Friendswood High School, placed sixth in the pole vault at the Class 4A state championships and has a personal best of 12 feet. She also was a member of the Friendswood cross country team that placed 10th at the Class 4A state meet.
The athletes will join Baylor for the 2005-06 academic year. The Bears begin the 2005 season Jan. 15 at the Houston Indoor.
Baylor Track Signees
Erin Bedell - Distances - Plano, Texas (Plano West)
Rachael Long - Sprints/Hurdles - Houston, Texas (Lamar)
Kaleigh Teel - Pole Vault/Distances - Friendswood, Texas (Friendswood)
Quentin Summers - 400 Meters - San Antonio, Texas (Madison)
Jacob Norman - Sprints - Temple, Texas (Temple)
