March 25, 2014
WACO, Texas - Both the Baylor men's and women's track and field teams made the preseason edition of the USTFCCCA Outdoor Team Rankings, the organization announced on Tuesday.
The BU men are ranked No. 17 and racked up a total of 115.83 points in the computer-based rankings. Meanwhile, the Baylor women are ranked 25th with 77.09 points. The point tally is based on 2013 outdoor performances from each team's top talent and top marks from the current outdoor season.
On the men's side, points came from freshman Trayvon Bromell, who has the country's fastest time in the 200-meters this season. Senior Blake Heriot is listed at No. 10 in the 200 and No. 6 in the 400 meters, while sophomore Felix Obi's sixth-place sitting in the triple jump bolstered the overall team ranking. Meanwhile, Baylor's 4x100-meter relay team was 13th and the 4x400-meter relay team ranked sixth. Other scoring athletes for the Bears include Bryce Grace, Desmine Hilliard and Blake Mayberry.
BU brings back 10 All-Big 12 Outdoor performers, including All-Americans Heriot, Hilliard, Isaiah Duke and Drew Seale. Baylor returns to the preseason top 25 for the first time since 2012 when it was No. 12. The Bears are the second-highest ranked Big 12 team behind only No. 14 Texas Tech.
The Baylor women's points came from Ashley Fields, who is 37th in the 100 and No. 6 in the 200 meters. Hammer thrower Erin Atkinson is ranked sixth, while the 4x400-relay team is ninth. Brianna Richardson is listed 12th in the triple jump and Olicia Williams is 15th in the 800 meters. Other scoring members for the women include Justise Dayries, Taije Jordan, Annie Rhodes, Raena Rhone and the 4x100-relay squad.
Baylor returns a total of 10 All-Big 12 Outdoor from a team that finished third at last season's Big 12 Championships. This is the third straight season that the Baylor women have been in the preseason top 25. The Lady Bears started 2012 and 2013 at No. 13. BU is the fourth-highest ranked Big 12 team behind No. 3 Texas, No. 10 Kansas and No. 16 Texas Tech.
Baylor opened its outdoor season last week at the TCU Invitational and will be back in action Wednesday at the Texas Relays in Austin.
To stay current on all things Baylor Track, follow the team on Twitter: @BaylorTrack
