May 5, 2004

WACO, Texas - Baylor junior Darold Williamson (San Antonio, Texas) was named the Big 12 Outdoor Men's Track Performer of the Year, as voted on by the league's head coaches and announced by the conference office Wednesday.

"This is unexpected," Williamson said. "It feels good, but I really don't know what to say - it's a surprise."

"I'm running with a lot more confidence, and I know that I'm better than I think I am. After finishing fourth at (NCAA) indoors, I just wanted to go out and prove everybody wrong. Last year I just ran to win, but now I'm running for time and I've been listening to Coach (Clyde) Hart on how to run the 400 and I've really been able to run harder. I'm looking forward to nationals and the Olympic Trials."

Williamson currently holds the fastest time in the world in the 400 meters at 44.59 seconds. The time is the second-fastest mark in school history, tying Raymond Pierre's 1989 performance, and behind only the 44.21 by Michael Johnson in 1990. Sophomore teammate Jeremy Wariner (Grand Prairie, Texas) currently ranks second in the world at 44.80.

Last weekend at the 2004 Big 12 Outdoor Track & Field Championships, Williamson captured his third straight outdoor 400-meter crown with a time of 44.74 when Wariner was disqualified for stepping on the lane line. The duo then led the 4x400-meter relay team to the Bears' seventh straight outdoor title by clocking 3:06.38 with Williamson anchoring his third straight outdoor champion.

The men's 4x400 relay squad has ranked No. 1 in the country for 13 consecutive weeks dating back to the indoor season. Williamson anchored the indoor team, also comprised of sophomore Jamen Saziru (Waco, Texas), freshman Mark Teter (San Antonio, Texas) and Wariner, to a collegiate record time of 3:03.96. In the relay final, Williamson dazzled the crowd by coming from well behind with 100 meters to go to blow away the field down the final stretch.

Williamson has earned All-America honors four times, captured two NCAA indoor relay championships, four Big 12 400-meter crowns and six Big 12 4x400 relay titles. Williamson has also been named Big 12 Athlete of the Week twice this season, once indoors (Feb. 16) and once outdoors (April 19).

The Female Performer of the Year award went to Texas' Sanya Richards. Texas high jumper Andra Manson was named Male Freshman of the Year, while Oklahoma's Jessica Eldridge was named Female Freshman of the Year. Nebraska's Gary Pepin was honored as Men's Coach of the Year, while Texas' Bev Kearney took the award on the women's side.

The Bears return to action at the Georgia Tech Invitational May 14-15 in Atlanta, Ga., in preparation for the NCAA Midwest Regional Championships May 28-29 in College Station, Texas.