May 9, 2008

WACO, Texas -

The Baylor men's and women's track and field teams have released the signings of 11 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent head coach Todd Harbour announced on Friday. Three women's signees are ranked in the top four in the nation in their respective events.

The men's team will have four newcomers this fall, highlighted by junior college transfer Thaddeus Gordon. Gordon, who is competing this season for South Plains Junior College, currently owns a personal best of 47.84 in the 400 meters and 51-02 in the triple jump. Gordon also ran on the indoor 4x400-meter relay that holds the South Plains record.

Zac Flowers was named the Houston Chronicle's All-Greater Houston boys cross country runner of the year, finishing as the runner-up at the 5A state meet. The two-time defending Region III-5A champion finished 13^th at the Foot Locker South Region.

Brandon Reed was an all-state cross country performer at Colorado Springs Christian School. The high school teammate of current Baylor distance runner Michael Williams, Reed placed third in the 5,000 meters at the USA Junior Olympics.

Philip Raaf was the District 15-5A champion in the 300-meter hurdles. His personal-best time of 37.45 was good for third place at the region meet.

"Our guys team is so young that going into this season we did not have much athletic aid to offer, so our needs were very specific," said Harbour. "We feel that with the young men we signed we have managed to meet our pressing needs. We are redshirting four of our top freshmen from last year so when combined with this group it will be an outstanding freshman class."

The women's signees feature three athletes with times and marks that rank in the top four nationally. Diamond Richardson, a sprinter from De Soto High School, currently has the No. 3 time in the nation and the top time in Texas in the 400 meters at 53.78. She won both the district and regional championships, helping set a new regional record in the 4x400-meter relay.

Jessica Ubanyionwu currently holds the second-best triple jump in the nation among high school girls. Her jump of 41-11 ½ was good to win the district and region titles. She also won the district title in the long jump, finishing as runner-up at the region meet. The senior from El Paso, who trails the national leader by one half-inch, holds the top jump in Texas by more than 10 inches.

Catherine Westenhover currently owns the fourth-best time in the nation in the 1,600 meters at 4:50.79. The home-schooled student from Austin is also a National Merit Finalist. She finished fourth at Texas Relays in the 3,200 meters with a personal-best time of 10:55.83. She was 27^th overall at the Foot Locker South Regional meet with a personal best time of 18:13.

Kristen Hanselka finished second at the UIL state meet in the 3,200 meters. She also took second place in the UIL cross country state meet this fall. She holds personal best times of 5:00.12 in the 1,600 meters and 10:49.55 in the 3,200 meters.

Shelly Keller finished second in the pole vault at the 2007 5A state meet with a personal-best clearance of 11-09.

Samantha Patty finished 12^th overall at the Ohio state cross country meet last fall with a time of 18:32. She currently holds a personal best time of 5:14.10 in the 1,600 meters.

Allison Woerner finished in seventh place at the state 4A cross country championships running for Stephenville High School.

"This may be our best combined athletic and academic class ever," said Harbour. "We have signed a group of young ladies who are outstanding in the classroom as well as on the track and field. It is impressive that three of our signees are currently ranked in the top four nationally in their respective events."

Baylor returns to action on May 16-18 as the Bears travel to Boulder, Colo. for the 2008 Big 12 Outdoor Track & Field Championships.

Track and Field Signees

Zac Flowers - Katy, Texas (Cinco Ranch)

Thaddeus Gordon - Lufkin, Texas (Lufkin/South Plains)

Kristen Hanselka - Kingwood, Texas (Kingwood)

Shelly Keller - Houston, Texas (Houston Memorial)

Samantha Patty - Cincinnati, Ohio (Turpin)

Brandon Reed - Colorado Springs, Colo. (Colorado Springs Christian)

Philip Raaf - Woodlands, Texas (College Park)

Diamond Richardson - De Soto, Texas (De Soto)

Jessica Ubanyionwu - El Paso, Texas (El Paso Eastwood)

Catherine Westenhover - Austin, Texas (home-schooled)

Allison Woerner - Stephenville, Texas (Stephenville)