LUBBOCK, Texas - Baylor track and field is gearing up for the Big 12 Indoor Championships at the Texas Tech Sports Performance Center, bringing some serious talent to the table. With senior sprinter Tiriah Kelley and junior pole vaulter Molly Haywood leading the charge, the Bears are ready to make their mark.
Baylor head coach Michael Ford is optimistic, noting the team's familiarity with the venue. "We know the track, we know the warm-up area," Ford said. "The atmosphere here gives you an extra boost."
Last year, the Baylor women secured a third-place finish, thanks to standout performances from Haywood and long jumper Alexis Brown. On the men's side, Bowerman Award finalist Nathaniel Ezekiel propelled the team to a ninth-place finish with his victories in the 400 meters and as part of the 4x400 relay.
This year, Haywood returns as the sole individual conference champion for the Bears. She set a school record last year with a vault of 15-1 ½ and currently ranks first in the Big 12 and fourth nationally with a mark of 15-0. Ford is confident in the pole vault squad, which also features Tenly Kuhn and Alencia Lentz, ranked fifth and sixth in the conference.
Kelley is on a mission to claim her first individual Big 12 title. She's already broken her own program record in the 200 meters twice on this 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'm excited for the 200 this weekend."
Kelley also holds a fifth-place ranking in the league for the 60 meters with a time of 7.31, contributing to Baylor's 14 top-10 marks heading into the meet.
Ford's strategy is clear: focus on building success incrementally. "Stacking good days, brick by brick," he advised the team. "Don't worry about your opponent, just take care of business."
Friday's events kick off at 10 a.m. with the men's heptathlon and women's pentathlon. Running prelims start at 2 p.m. with the women's mile, and the women's weight throw and pole vault begin at 3.
Saturday's schedule features the women's shot put at 1 p.m., followed by the women's 60-meter hurdles at 2. Senior Demario Prince and sophomore Janae De Gannes are also strong contenders, with Prince aiming to improve on his fifth-place finish in the 60-meter hurdles last year, and De Gannes looking to build on her success in the long jump.
The Bears are set for an exciting weekend, ready to showcase their talent and determination on the big stage.