Baylor Track & Field Sweeps 4x400 National Relay Championships
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Baylor track & field swept the 4x400-meter relays to close the National Relay Championships in style Saturday afternoon at John McDonnell Field.
“It was an outstanding finish to a very solid weekend,” head coach Todd Harbour said. “We wanted to stay healthy, have some fun, come off a big MJ weekend and get some good stuff done to become a better team for conference. I thought we did that today.”
In the final race of the meet, Aaliyah Miller ran a 53.04 anchor leg to make up a full two-second deficit and bring the Bears past Arkansas to win the women’s 4x400-meter relay. Miller, Morgan Stewart, Sydney Washington, and Leti De Souza clocked a time of 3:35.71 to take home the title.
The Baylor men’s 4x400-meter relay featured a new face, Chris Platt, along with Wil London, Matthew Moorer, and Howard Fields III. The Bears cruised to victory in a time of 3:07.81 after London coasted past Oklahoma State early in the anchor leg and fended off Arkansas and TCU on the back stretch.
“Those were two great wins for the 4x4 in tough conditions,” Harbour said. “The wind was tough today. They battled hard. We weren’t at complete full strength, but we ran a couple subs and it’s always nice when you build some depth on your team. Both of those squads did a super job. I’m very proud of them.”
Cole Hardan continued to make his mark in Baylor throws history, recording a personal-best shot put of 60-2 (18.34m) to move into a tie for No. 2 on the school’s all-time outdoor performer list.
“Cole had a huge day,” Harbour said. “He PR’d huge a couple times in the shot put and ended up with a throw over 60 feet.”
In the women’s triple jump, Alex Madlock jumped 44+ for the fourth consecutive meet (44-8, 13.61m) to take second place.
“I thought Alex battled really well in the triple jump in tough conditions,” Harbour said. “That wind was tough. To pop a big one on that last jump, it wasn’t a PB but she fought hard.”
Jalen Seals also had a solid day in the men’s triple jump, registering a season-best mark of 51-0.25 (15.55m) to finish fourth.
“Overall, it was a good day,” Harbour said. “It was quick-fast. It was a good ending after a good day yesterday. We had a lot of good things happen. We’re coming back pretty much healthy. We held a few out today for precautionary reasons, but other than that it was a good weekend.”
Next up for the Bears is a trip to Norman, Okla., for the Big 12 Outdoor Championships May 10-12.