March 2, 2006

WACO, Texas - Baylor junior Reggie Witherspoon (Marietta, Ga.) was named Big 12 Conference Indoor Track & Field Men's Performer of the Year, while Jacob Norman (Temple, Texas) was named the Men's Freshman of the Year, the league office announced Thursday.

Witherspoon scored 22.5 points to earn the High Point Performer at the Big 12 Indoor Championships this past weekend in Lincoln, Neb. He claimed two individual conference titles by winning both the 200 and 400 meters, an unprecedented feat at Baylor, then led off the Bears' victorious 4x400-meter relay, which won its ninth straight conference crown.

Norman ran the nation's fastest time and set a new school record in the preliminary heat of the 60 meters at 6.56, then coasted to his first conference title in the event with a time of 6.66. He also earned All-Big 12 honors in the 200 meters, despite aggravating a groin injury coming out of the blocks. Norman finished eighth, but showed his toughness by finishing the race at all to earn the Bears another point.

The Texas head coaches, Bubba Thorton on the men's side and Bev Kearney on the women's side, swept the Coach of the Year honors after leading their respective squads to the Big 12 team titles. The Longhorns' Marshavet Hooker was named the Women's Performer of the Year after winning the 60 and 200 meters, as well as the long jump, while her younger sister, Destinee, was named Women's Freshman of the Year for winning the high jump title.

Some of the Bears will return to action Saturday at the Last Chance Meet in Ames, Iowa, while the athletes who have qualify will compete at the NCAA Indoor Championships March 10-11 in Fayetteville, Ark.