March 31, 2009

WACO, Texas - Baylor junior Chris Gowell was named the Big 12 Outdoor Track and Field Male Athlete of the Week, the league office announced on Tuesday. The weekly award is the first of Gowell's career.

Gowell clocked a personal-best time of 3:41.85 to finish second in the men's 1,500 run at the Stanford Invitational. His time, which improved his personal best by 16 seconds, ranks as the second-fastest time in Baylor history behind head coach Todd Harbour's school record. Gowell's mark is also the top time in the Big 12 and the second fastest in the nation this season.

The conference weekly award is the first for Baylor in the outdoor season and the second for the Bears in 2009. Earlier this season, Tiffany Townsend earned the Big 12 Indoor Track and Field Female Athlete of the Week honor after winning three events with three NCAA Provisional times at the Razorback Invitational.

Baylor returns to action this weekend as the Bears travel to Austin, Texas to compete in the 82nd Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays.