Baylor Track & Field Hosts Michael Johnson Invitational
WACO, Texas – Baylor track & field hosts the 2019 Michael Johnson Invitational Friday and Saturday (April 19-20) at Clyde Hart Track & Field Stadium in what will be the final home meet for the 2019 senior class as well as Coach Hart.
“It’s another great opportunity for our athletes,” head coach Todd Harbour said. “A home meet, and it’s always one of the top invitationals in the country. It’s proven that over the last few years, and it will be that again this year. There are a lot of neat things on the side with the retirement dinner for Coach Hart on Friday, the pavilion dedication and senior recognition on Saturday. We have a lot of good things going with the meet, and the meet is going to be outstanding.”
With the meet extended to two days this season, things will get started at noon CT Friday with the men’s hammer throw. Friday’s field events will conclude with the women’s javelin at 6 p.m. CT, and the evening will kick off running events for the weekend with the women’s and men’s 5,000m beginning at 7 p.m. CT.
Saturday will be an event-filled day as the men’s discus open gets things started at 9:30 a.m. CT. Running events will begin at 1 p.m. CT with the women’s and men’s 1500m open. The Baylor senior recognition will begin at 4:30 p.m. CT, Coach Hart’s retirement recognition will be at 5:50 p.m. CT, and the Legends Award will be announced at 7:30 p.m. CT. The meet will conclude at 7:40 p.m. CT with the women’s’ and men’s 4x400-meter relays.
The Baylor men’s team enters the weekend No. 12 in the country, while the women’s team is ranked No. 25. The No. 1 and No. 2-ranked schools on the men’s’ side (Texas Tech, Texas A&M) will be in Waco, as well as the No. 2-ranked Texas A&M women’s team.
Texas (No. 13) and Arkansas (No. 24) are also in the men’s rankings, while Kansas State (No. 11), Texas (No. 15) and Texas Tech (No. 18) are all ranked on the women’s side. Abilene Christian, SFA, Sam Houston State, Northern Illinois (women), TCU, and Barton County CC will also be in action in one of the most competitive fields in the country.
“We have quite a few ranked teams, and it’s going to be great competition across the board in all of the events,” Harbour said. “We’re very excited and ready to go. Looks like the weather is going to be super, so can’t wait to get this meet weekend here.”