May 25, 2016 WACO, Texas - The Baylor track and field team is sending 25 student-athletes to take part in the 2016 NCAA West Preliminary Championships at Rock Chalk Park in Lawrence, Kan., Thursday through Saturday.
SCHEDULE
THURSDAY
Running Events: 4:30 p.m.
Field Events: Noon
FRIDAY
Running Events: 5 p.m.
Field Events: 12 p.m.
SATURDAY
Running Events: 6 p.m.
Field Events: 3 p.m.
STORYLINES
Baylor will have a total of 23 entries in the field at the NCAAà ¢Ã¢' ¬Ã‹ € West Preliminary Championships. The women will have 13 entries, while the men have 10 with each vying for a top-12 spot that earns a berth to the NCAAà ¢Ã¢' ¬Ã‹ € Championships in Eugene, Ore., June 8-11.
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The Baylor women will have 12 entries in individual events, along with the 4x400-meter relay. Of those entries, Baylor has six currently ranked among the top 12 in the West region.
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On the men's side, Baylor has nine in individual events and the 4x400-meter relay team. The Bears have three entries currently ranked among the region's top 12.
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Pole vaulter Annie Rhodes boasts BU's highest regional rank heading into the competition as she has the second-best clearance in the region at 14-7.25 [4.45m].
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The Bears also have two third-place regional marks in Wil London (400m) and Felix Obi (triple jump), who both won Big 12 titles in their respective events.
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Injuries have been a big part of BU's season, but after missing the conference meet the Bears will get freshman sprinter Taylor Bennett (200m, 4x4) and Richard Hansen (javelin) back for the event.
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However, the Bears will be without the services of freshman sprinter Kiana Horton, who was qualified for the meet in the 100, 200 and as member of both relays, and triple jumper Brianna Richardson. On the men's side, seniors Richard Gary (4x4) and Bryce Grace (110 hurdles) have been sidelined for much of the season and will miss the meet.
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Baylor has two athletes competing in two individual events: Cion Hicks (shot put, discus), and Malik Wilson (100, 200 Meters).
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In four events, the Bears have two athletes competing, including the women's 200 meters (Bennett, Justise Dayries), the men's 400 meters (London, George Caddick), the women's 800 meters (Olicia Williams, Jessica Purtell) and the women's triple jump (Rachel Toliver, Danylle Kurywchak).
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In its last meet, Baylor had four athletes claim individual titles at the Big 12 Outdoor Championship. Claiming the top spot on the podium for BU was London (400 meters), Obi (triple jump), Rhodes (pole vault) and Williams (800 meters).
QUOTE
"We have battled about as hard as we have in any season to get to this point. I like where we are at. The guys are about as healthy as we have been. I think we have a shot to finish well and that is what we challenged them with. We have some unfinished business, so we are going to attempt to finish on a really high note and be as positive as we can. We have some athletes that are peaking at the right time and are ready to go."- head coach Todd Harbour
RESULTS/COVERAGE
Live results for the 2016 NCAA West Preliminary Championships can be found at flashresults.com. Complete meet recaps can be found at the conclusion of each day of competition at www.BaylorBears.com. There will be a live broadcast of the meet on KUAthletics.com.
