May 7, 2009

WACO, Texas - The Baylor men's and women's track and field teams are both ranked eighth in the latest rankings released by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association on Wednesday. The ranking is the highest of the season for both squads.

The men's team climbed two spots from the April 29 rankings following its performance at the Texas Invitational. The Bears added new NCAA regional qualifying marks from Whitney Prevost in the 200 meters and Thaddeus Gordon in the 400-meter hurdles. The men's squad has 17 NCAA regional qualifiers this season.

The Lady Bears also jumped two spots over the last week. Tiffany Townsend moved into the national lead in the 200 meters with her school record time of 22.63 at the Texas Invitational. Baylor also had two regional qualifiers in the women's triple jump as Jessica Ubanyionwu recorded the second-best jump in Baylor history and Stasia Kelly-Taylor leaped to a season-best mark. The women's team has 17 NCAA regional qualifying marks this year.

Baylor returns to action next weekend as the Bears travel to Lubbock, Texas for the 2009 Big 12 Outdoor Track and Field Championships.