June 15, 2005

WACO, Texas - Baylor senior Darold Williamson (San Antonio, Texas) was named the United States Track & Field Athlete of the Week after running the world's fastest time of 44.27 in the 400 meters at the NCAA Championships in Sacramento, Calif., USATF announced Wednesday.

Williamson, who will soon turn professional, followed up his personal-best time with a 44.51 to capture his first individual NCAA title. Other honors he earned this season are Mondo Midwest Region Athlete of the Year, Drake Relays Outstanding Male Performer, Big 12 Athlete of the Week (April 26) and the Big 12 indoor and outdoor champion in both the 400 meters and as the anchor on the 4x400-meter relay.

Williamson ran the anchor leg on the United States' gold-medal 4x400-meter relay team at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, and is preparing for the U.S. Track & Field Championships June 23-26 in Carson, Calif., followed by the World Championships Aug. 6-14 in Helsinki, Finland.