February 21, 1999

LUBBOCK, Texas - On February 19-20, the Texas Tech women's track team had their best-ever showing at the Big 12 Indoor Championships scoring 29 points at the meet. For the weekend, the women finished 10th out of the 12 teams competing.

Leading the way for the Red Raiders was Leigh Daniel. The junior for Lubbock, Texas, won the women's 5,000 meters and took fourth in the 3,000 meters to score 15 points for Texas Tech.

Daniel's time of 16:31.35 in the 5,000 set a new Big 12 indoor championships record, as well as, an Aheard Field House record. She became the third woman in Texas Tech history to win at the meet. In the 3,000 meters, Daniel finished fourth in the race with a new Texas Tech indoor record time of 9:36.85. Additionally, she provisionally qualified in the event for the NCAA championships.

"I really didn't feel like I ran a great race like I did when I had a 16:15 at Indianapolis," Daniel said on her performance in the 5,000 meters. "I stuck to the leader's heels and fought her hard to the last 200 meters. In the end, I felt I had a little more and pulled on through to win. All I wanted to do was win and get points for our team. I wasn't concerned with my time, but it was nice to set a new record."

Ngozi Iwu continued her steady improvement in the women's 400 meters with her best run of the season. She raced to fourth place in the finals with an NCAA provisional qualifying time of 55.06. For Iwu, it was her best time ever in the event.

"I ran really hard today," Iwu said of her effort. "I know that was the fastest I have ever run. The competition in the race was really good, and it pushed me to my best effort of the year. Hopefully, it will be good enough to qualify me for nationals."

Last year's indoor mile champion Evette Turner finished fourth in the race this year with a time of 4:52.27. For Turner it was a satisfying conclusion to an indoor season that had been riddled by injuries and trying to overcome not running cross country in the fall.

"I think I did as well as I could do today," Turner said on the race. "I'm not disappointed because it's been a long season. Last year I was in better condition. I have missed a lot of training time with injuries and I didn't have my normal strength that I get from running cross country. I will now focus on preparing for outdoor competition."

Senior Kaneshia Polk concluded her final Big 12 indoor meet by finishing seventh in the triple jump. Polk also finished seventh in the event in 1998.

"I was a little disappointed in my performance because it is my last year. This was my last chance to qualify for nationals this indoor season. It seemed like everything was coming together right out there. It was the most consistent I had jumped this year, however, the distance wasn't there. It is frustrating."

In the final event of the meet, the women's 4X400 team scored the critical points that gave the Red Raiders their most points ever scored at the meet. Nina Roberts, Kaneshia Polk, Iwu and Sherri Coleman racing from the slow heat put together and impressive effort and finished seventh overall with a mark of 3:49.13. It was the first time this season that four had run the relay together.

Texas Tech Points Breakdown

Leigh Daniel - 5,000 meters - 1st - (10), 3,000 meters - 4th - (5)
Evette Turner - Mile - 4th - (5)
Ngozi Iwu - 400 meters - 4th - (5)
Kaneshia Polk - Triple Jump - 7th - (2)
Kaneshia Polk, Nina Roberts, Sherri Coleman, Ngozi Iwu - 7th - 4X400 Relay (4)

Texas Tech - 29 points