Nov. 11, 2008

WACO, Texas - The Baylor men's and women's track relay teams were both ranked in the 52nd-annual rankings released by Track and Field News. The women's team was ranked second in the nation, while the men's squad was ranked fourth overall.

The Lady Bears claimed the second overall position despite not having the top team on any single relay. The women earned their highest spot with a second-place finish in the sprint medley relay, and scored in every event except the 4x100-meter hurdles.

The women's team took third in the 4x100-meter relay, and returns three of the four legs from the 2008 squad. The Lady Bears took third in the 4x1,500-, fourth in the 4x400- and fifth in the 4x200-meter relays, returning three relay members from each of those squads for the 2009 season. The women's team also placed seventh in the distance medley and 1-th in the 4x800-meter relay.

The men's team, the top-ranked team in last season's rankings, took fourth overall, led by their No. 1 ranking in the 4x400-meter relay. The Bears won their fourth-straight 4x400-meter title in 2008, and return five All-Americans from the relay for the 2009 season. The Bears hold the No. 2 spot in the 4x200-meter relay and rank sixth in the 4x100-meter relay, with all four legs from both relays returning for the 2009 season.

Baylor is coming off its best combined finishes at the NCAA Outdoor Championships as the men's team tied for seventh overall and the women's squad tied for 15th overall. The Bears return 15 All-Americans, five NCAA national champions and 15 Big 12 Conference champions.

The men's and women's indoor track and field teams open the season on Jan. 17 at the Wes Kittley Invitational in Lubbock, Texas.