The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Bailey named Big 12 Men's Track and Field Athlete of the Week
04.20.2016 | Track & Field / Cross Country
Sprinter helps Longhorns win Texas Invitational over ranked opponents
AUSTIN, Texas – Junior sprinter AJ Bailey Jr. played a key role in helping the Longhorns win the Texas Invitational this weekend and was recognized as the Big 12 Men's Athlete of the Week for his efforts on the track.
Bailey received his first Big 12 honor for his win in the 200 meters as well as his performances in the 100 meters and the 4x100 meter relay as the Longhorns defeated a number of ranked teams, including two top five's, at their home meet on Saturday.
Bailey put himself near the top of the NCAA list in the 200 meters with a victory and crossing the finish line in 20.44 seconds to defeat LSU's Tinashe Mutanga. Bailey's time ranks No. 3 in the nation so far this season and was the fastest time over the weekend's action. Bailey ran to a fifth-place finish in the 100 with a time of 10.34 seconds and earned six points toward the team standings. He also helped the Longhorns run 39.22 seconds in the 4x100 meter relay to finish second behind LSU. That time was just off the Longhorn's mark of 39.18 from the Nike Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays and keeps the Longhorns among the national leaders and contenders in the postseason.
Bailey's 18 points he contributed to the Longhorns helped the men's team win the Texas Invitational with 138 points. The Longhorns were able to defend their home track and defeat No. 5 LSU, No. 7 Arkansas and No. 18 Penn State.
This is the first Big 12 Athlete of the Week award for Bailey and the first for the men's team outdoors this year. The women have won track and field athlete of the week three out of four weeks so far during the outdoor campaign.
The women's track and field athlete of the week went to Kansas State's Akela Jones this week.
