Jan. 7, 2010

Complete Rankings

NEW ORLEANS - Baylor's men's and women's teams will each begin the 2010 season ranked, with the men checking in at No. 11 and the women at No. 16 in the initial United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association rankings.

Combined, Baylor returns a school-record tying 15 All-Americans from last season's squad. The men had their best national finish since 2001 with a fifth-place finish at the NCAA Indoor Championships, while the women placed in the a tie for 10th outdoors, best since 1999.

Six-time All-American and two-time national champion sprinter Trey Harts leads the men after winning the indoor 200 meters and helping claim the Bears fifth-consecutive 4x400-meter national title at the national indoor meet. Four-time All-American Marcus Boyd, three-time All-American J.T. Scheuerman, and two-time All-American Chris Gowell also return, along with All-Americans Courtney Thomas and Zwede Hewitt.

For the women, 10-time All-American sprinter Tiffany Townsend became the most decorated women's runner in Baylor history last season. Along with Townsend, the women possess a deep sprint crew, consisting of three-time All-American Brittany Bruce, two-time All-Americans DeAna Carson, Tiana Hood, and Brittany Carr, as well as All-American Diamond Richardson. Baylor's middle distance contingent is made up of four-time All-American Erin Bedell, three-time All-American Nichole Jones and All-American Danielle Bradley.

The Bears begin the indoor slate on Saturday, Jan. 16, at the Texas A&M Invitational in College Station, Texas. The meet is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.