June 20, 2013
DES MOINES, Iowa - Freshmen Felix Obi and Brianna Richardson had standout performances in the triple jump to lead Baylor's contingent at the USA Track and Field Outdoor Championships on Thursday at Drake Stadium.
Obi saved his best for last by recording a mark of 51-6.5 [15.71m] on his final attempt to finish second in the triple jump.
Meanwhile on the women's side, Richardson followed Obi's lead by posting her best jump, 42-1.5 [12.84m], on her last attempt to win the triple jump title.
Obi and Richardson will now represent the USA at the Pan Am Junior Championships in Medellin, Colombia, Aug. 23-25.
The Bears had five of their athletes competing at the junior level on Thursday, while only Blake Heriot competed at the senior level.
Heriot powered his way to a spot in the 400-meter semifinals with a time of 46.17 in the first round. The junior was fifth in his heat, but qualified on time by tallying the 13th-best mark overall. He will run in the semifinals on Friday at 7:52 p.m.
Back in the junior level at the 800-meter distance, freshman Olicia Williams was the fastest runner on the day, winning her heat in 2:08.88. She will take part in the finals of that event on Friday at 7:20 p.m.
In the hurdles, freshmen Taije Jordan and Bryce Grace both qualified for the finals. Jordan, who was coming back from injury took third in her preliminary heat and qualified seventh overall in 14.24. In the final, the Lancaster, Texas, native took eighth in 14.66.
Grace ran 14.00 in the prelims to be second in his heat and third overall. In the finals battling a strong headwind, Grace turned in a time of 14.06 to be fifth.
Former Baylor athletes Marcus Boyd, Quentin Iglehart-Summers and Jeremy Wariner all missed qualifying in the 400 meters. However, Tiffany Townsend took third in her heat of the 100 meters with a time of 11.55 to move on to the semifinals.
On Friday, Christina Holland will take part in the first round of the 400m hurdles at 5:45 p.m., while the aforementioned athletes will continue their run.
To stay up to date with all things Baylor track follow the official Twitter account of the team: @BaylorTrack.
COMPLETE BAYLOR RESULTS
Q or q = qualified for finals
800 Meters Junior
Women - Prelims
1. Olicia Williams (FR) - 2:08.88Q
100m Hurdles Junior
Women - Prelims
7. Taije Jordan (FR) - 14.24q
Women - Finals
8. Taije Jordan (FR) - 14.66
110m Hurdles Junior
Men - Prelims
3. Bryce Grace (FR) - 14.00Q
Men - Finals
5. Bryce Grace (FR) - 14.06
Triple Jump Junior
Women
1. Brianna Richardson (FR) - 42-1.5 [12.84m]
Men
2. Felix Obi (FR) - 51-6.5 [15.71m]
400 Meters Senior
Men - Prelims
13. Blake Heriot (JR) - 46.17Q
