May 14, 2005

MANHATTAN, Kan. - Senior Lakadron Ivery (Tyler, Texas) popped a personal-best jump of 6.61 meters (21-8 ¼), the second-longest mark in school history, to take second in the long jump, then broke her own school record with 11.25 for the fastest qualifying time in the 100 meters on the second day of competition Saturday at the 2005 Big 12 Outdoor Track & Field Championships at R.V. Christian Track Complex.

Ivery was also the second-fastest qualifier in the 200 meters with a season-best time of 23.17. Ivery surprised everyone with the mark, as she has not competed in the long jump all season. Senior April Holliness (Duncanville, Texas), the school record holder at 21-10 ¼, fought through injury to finish fifth with a mark of 6.37 meters (20-10 ¾).

"It was remarkable to not jump all season and just pop one," Ivery said. "It was more than remarkable, it was a blessing and all victory and glory go to God. When I jump, I don't go for a certain mark, I just jump for victory and for joy. I just stayed relaxed, because now is not the time to focus. Last week was the time to focus, this week is the time to perform."

Assistant head track and field coach Danny Brabham could not have asked anything more from his pair of jumpers. "They did a super job, LaKadron did exactly what we wanted her to do," Brabham said. "Technique-wise, she did what we wanted. She fouled a big jump, well over 22 feet, so I think when it comes to NCAAs, she's going to be in the thick of it and she's going to surprise some people. She did what she needed to for the team and LaKadron is the kind of person who will do everything you ask her to do."

"April is still nursing an injury from Drake, so I'm pleased with what she did. It was just a great competition, with the top six all going better than 20-6, but they both responded to the challenge and improved their marks in the finals. If April was totally healthy, it might have come out different, she was really hurting those last couple of jumps, but still increased her best."

Senior Elizabeth Wilson (Duncanville, Texas) also won her heat in the 100 meters and qualifies with the third-fastest time at 11.51, while freshman Carla Grace (San Antonio, Texas) qualified with the seventh-fastest time at 11.65. Holliness and junior Marquisha Sefas (Fort Worth, Texas) finished 10th (11.81) and 11th (11.83), respectively. Wilson and Grace also qualified for the 200-meter final, with Wilson winning her heat with the sixth-fastest time of 23.56 and Grace qualifying with the eighth-fastest time at 23.67. Sefas finished 12th in the 200 with a season-best time of 24.00.

Senior Darold Williamson (San Antonio, Texas) had the fastest qualifying time in the 400 meters at 46.16, while sophomore Kevin Mutai (Round Rock, Texas) qualified with the third-fastest time of 46.99 and Mark Teter (San Antonio, Texas) qualified with the fifth-fastest time of 47.18. Junior Angel Perkins (Cerritos, Calif.) won her heat and had the fifth-fastest qualifying time in the women's 400 with a time of 53.88, while sophomore Rena Napoleon (Colorado Springs, Colo.) qualified eighth in 54.54. Freshman Janet Jones (Houston, Texas) finished 19th in 57.87.

Junior Wil Fitts (Desoto, Texas) qualified with the third-fastest time in the 800 meters with a time of 1:50.96. Junior Jerome Miller (Houston, Texas) won his heat and qualified for the finals in the 110-meter hurdles with a season-best time of 13.93 and also qualified for the finals of the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 52.19.

Senior Danielle Myricks (Willingboro, N.J.) won her heat and qualified with the third-fastest time in the 400-meter hurdles in 59.50. Sophomore Lauren Tillman (Lawrenceville, Ga.) finished 12th in 1:02.26, junior Janelle Mulkey (San Antonio, Texas) finished 20th in 1:07.47 and freshman Erin Wait (White Oak, Texas) finished 21st in 1:08.02.

Freshman Jeremy Jackson (Round Rock, Texas) finished 15th in the 100 meters with a time of 14.83, while senior Brian McDonald (Houston, Texas) finished 13th in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 53.91. Sophomore Mitch Sanders (Katy, Texas) finished 14th in the 1,500 meters with a time of 3:51.90. Junior Chris Gillis (Pennsauken, N.J.) finished 15th in the long jump with a mark of 6.95 meters (22-9 ¾).

Freshman Lauren Hagans (Little Rock, Ark.) finished 13th in the 800 meters with a time of 2:13.95, while junior Shanta Bibbs (San Antonio, Texas) finished 17th in 2:17.30. Mulkey finished 11th in the 100-meter hurdles in 13.93.

The championships conclude Sunday, with freshman Brittany Devereaux (Denton, Texas) getting the Bears started in the women's discus at 1 p.m. The final event of the day is the men's 4x400-meter relay, which Baylor has won seven straight times, at 6:45 p.m.