Baylor Shines at NCAA Indoor Championships
In a thrilling display at the NCAA Indoor Championships in Fayetteville, Arkansas, Baylor's track and field team made the most of their opportunities, securing two bronze medals and three All-America honors, finishing in the top 25 for the women's events.
Bronze Medals and All-America Honors
Tiriah Kelley and Demario Prince, both first-time indoor national finalists, clinched bronze in the 200 meters and the 60-meter hurdles, respectively. Meanwhile, Molly Haywood added to her impressive resume with a fourth-place finish in the pole vault, marking her third All-America honor and first indoors.
Coach Ford, celebrating his seventh top-25 finish, expressed his satisfaction: "We had three shots, and we hit the target every time. I couldn't ask for more, except maybe three national titles."
Kelley's Remarkable Comeback
After battling the flu and missing the Big 12 Indoor Championships, Kelley made a triumphant return. She finished third in a loaded field with a time of 22.64 seconds, surpassing the last two indoor national champions.
Georgia's Adaejah Hodge stole the show, setting a new facility record with a time of 22.22 seconds. Florida's Gabrielle Matthews narrowly edged Kelley in the first heat, finishing second overall.
Reflecting on the race, Ford noted, "Tiriah had a little stumble, but she recovered well. She's our first indoor first-team All-American in the 200 meters since 2011."
Prince in a Historic Race
In the men's 60-meter hurdles, Prince was part of a historic race. Auburn's Ja'Kobe Tharp set a new collegiate and meet record with a world-leading 7.32 seconds. Prince secured third place with a time of 7.48, amidst fierce competition.
Ford remarked, "Prince got a better start today, but a slight hiccup at hurdle two cost him. Still, he performed admirably."
Haywood's Consistent Excellence
Competing in her sixth NCAA Championship, Haywood cleared 14-11 ½ on her first attempt, securing fourth place in a tough pole vault contest. Washington's Hana Moll set a meet record with a vault of 15-9 ¾.
Looking Ahead
With the indoor season wrapped up, Baylor is set to kick off their outdoor campaign at the TCU Alumni Invitational in Fort Worth. They'll then host the Clyde Hart Classic later this month.
Baylor's performance at the NCAA Indoor Championships showcased their resilience and talent, setting the stage for an exciting outdoor season.