T&F Focused on Friday’s Prelims at Big 12 Indoor

Friday, February 27

Lubbock, Texas

Baylor

Big 12 Indoor Championship

T&F Focused on Friday’s Prelims at Big 12 Indoor

2/26/2026 8:42:00 AM | Track & Field

Haywood, Kelley Go into Meet Holding Conference-Leading Marks

LUBBOCK, Texas – Going in with a pair of conference-leading marks from senior sprinter Tiriah Kelley and junior pole vaulter Molly Haywood, Baylor track and field is back at the Texas Tech Sports Performance Center for the third time, competing in the Big 12 Indoor Championships that begin Friday.

"We know the track, we know the warm-up area," said Baylor head coach Michael Ford. "I think the last seven years, we've been there for the Big 12 meet. And they have a great atmosphere, too, so I think that gives you an extra boost, too."

Paced by wins from Haywood and long jumper Alexis Brown, the Baylor women placed third at last year's Big 12 meet, while eventual Bowerman Award finalist Nathaniel Ezekiel helped the men's team finish ninth by winning the 400 meters and anchoring the 4x400 relay.

With sophomore Tyler Honeyman being the only returner from that 4x400 relay, Haywood is the lone individual conference champion back for the Bears. Haywood, who set the school record last year with a vault of 15-1 ½, is ranked first in the league and fourth nationally with a mark of 15-0.

"I think we can get some really big points in the pole vault." Ford said of a group that includes Tenly Kuhn and Alencia Lentz, who rank fifth and sixth in the Big 12, respectively. "That's going to be our big event."

Looking for her first individual Big 12 title, Kelley has already broken her program record in the 200 meters twice on this same track and is ranked No. 2 nationally with a time of 22.53.

"This is my senior year, and I haven't had a title yet," Kelley said. "I haven't won anything yet, and this is what I'm striving for. By God's grace, just trusting everything, I do want to win. I'm so excited for the 200 this weekend."

Ranked fifth in the league with a 60-meter time of 7.31, Kelley owns two of Baylor's 14 top-10 marks going into the Big 12 meet.

Ford said his message to the team was about "stacking good days, brick by brick, making sure that you don't worry about your opponent, just worry about yourself and taking care of business."

"One thing Coach (Clyde) Hart said to me when I was a runner is that Friday is the most important day," Ford said, "because you can't think about Saturday, especially if you have a prelim on Friday. The prelims are on Friday, so you've got to take care of business to make sure that you're in the top eight to make it to the final."

Other than Haywood and Kelley, Baylor's top contenders for conference championships are senior Demario Prince in the 60-meter hurdles and sophomore Janae De Gannes in the long jump.

Friday's action begins at 10 a.m. with the opening events in the men's heptathlon and women's pentathlon. Running prelims start with the women's mile run at 2 p.m., with the women's weight throw and pole vault both starting at 3.

On Saturday, the women's shot put will begin at 1 p.m., with the women's 60-meter hurdles kicking things off on the track at 2. Prince was fifth at last year's Big 12 meet and qualified for the NCAA Indoor Championships, while De Gannes was the outdoor runner-up behind Brown and third at the indoor meet.

The two-day meet will be live streamed by ESPN+, with live results available at Prime Time Timing.

For the latest news on Baylor track and field all year long, follow its official Facebook, X and Instagram accounts: @BaylorTrack.

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