Nov. 16, 2005

WACO, Texas - The Baylor track and field team has signed LeGerald Betters, Danielle Bradley, Trey Harts, Loren Hodges, Natalie Neill, J.T. Scheuerman, Jessica Gregory, DeAna Carson and Katie Stoever to a National Letter of Intent, first-year head coach Todd Harbour announced Friday.

Betters is the defending class 5A state and regional champion in the 400 meters and the triple jump from Waco High School. He has personal best marks of 46.42 in the 400, which ranks fourth nationally, and 48-5 ¼ in the triple jump. Betters finished second in the 400 meters at the Nike Outdoor Junior National Championships and is the top-ranked returning senior in the nation in the event.

Harts is an accomplished sprinter from A.M. Barbe High School in Lake Charles, La., who captured the NISC national title in the 200 meters indoors. He was also the state champion in the 100 meters, 200 meters and the 4x100-meter relay as a junior and the state champion in the 200 meters, 4x200-meter relay and 4x400-meter relay as a sophomore. Harts also captured indoor state titles in the 55 meters and the 4x400-meter relay. He has personal best times of 10.55 in the 100 meters, 20.80 in the 200 meters, which ranks fourth nationally, and 47.12 in the 400 meters, which ranks 14th nationally. Harts is also the second-ranked returning 200-meter runner in the country and the top returning 200-meter runner indoors.

Scheuerman, from Littleton High School in Littleton, Colo., won the USA Track & Field 400-meter title in 2005. He has personal best marks of 20.9 in the 200 meters, which ranks sixth nationally, and 46.77 in the 400, which ranks seventh in the country. He is also the fourth-ranked returning high school runner in both events.

"These are three of the most talented male sprinters that have ever come at one time," Harbour said. "They are all three outstanding individuals and will help us carry on our long sprint tradition. It is also very nice to keep a young man as special as LeJerald here at home. Central Texas will enjoy watching LeJerald and this special group for years to come."

Gregory is a sprinter and jumper from Foster High School in Richmond, Texas. She was the Texas Relays Division II champion in the 100 meters as well as the 4A Region III champion in the 100 and 200 meters last year. Gregory was the runner up in the 100 meters and finished third in the 200 meters at the state championships. She has personal best times of 11.58 in the 100, which ranks 11th nationally, 24.19 in the 200 and a personal best mark of 18-8 in the long jump.

Carson hails from Wilson High School in Long Beach, Calif., joining former high school teammate and current Bear Tiana Hood. Carson has personal bests of 13.7 in the 100-meter hurdles, 24.46 in the 200 meters and a mark of 19-9 in the long jump. She finished sixth at the California state championships in the 100-meter hurdles.

"These are two very talented sprinters that will also help us in the jumps and relays," Harbour said. "Jessica was the Texas Relays winner last year as well as finishing second at the state meet in the 100. DeAna joins her former Tiana Hood from Long Beach Wilson, which traditionally has some of the top relays in the country."

Bradley is a middle distance runner from Kings Academy in West Palm Beach, Fla. She ran a 2:09.51 to finish fifth in the 800 meters at the Nike Outdoor Junior National Championships and is ranked sixth in the country heading into her senior year.

Hodges is also a middle distance runner from Paradise, Texas, and is the defending class 2A state champion in both the 800 meters and the mile. She has run some of the top times in the state in the 3,200 and 5,000 meters this fall and recently captured the individual titles at the class 2A state cross country championship as well as the regional meet. She also finished second at the McNeil Invitational and is currently ranked No. 1 in her class.

Neill also runs distances at Lake Country Christian School in Fort Worth, Texas. She is the defending class 3A TAPPS state cross country champion as well as the defending champion in the 1,600 and 3,200 meters. Both of Neill's parents are Baylor graduates and she has a sister currently attending Baylor.

"We are excited about what all three of these young ladies will add to our cross country and track programs," Harbour said. "All three are relatively new to distance running and should have many very good years in front of them. With no seniors on this current team, these three will add considerable depth to our team next fall."

Stoever is a pole vaulter from Bishop Kelley High School in Tulsa, Okla, who has a personal best of 11-0.

The 2006 class marks the first for Harbour since taking the reigns of the program June 14. The Bears kick off the 2006 indoor season at the Houston Opener Jan. 14 in Houston, Texas.