By Jeffrey Swindoll
Sports Writer
Baylor track will add Baylor football players KD Cannon and Chris Platt to their roster for the remainder of the season. Cannon and Platt each won state titles in track in high school.
“We’re just so grateful to Coach [Art] Briles and Kendal and everyone who made the decision to let these guys be out here,” head coach Todd Harbour said. “We’re definitely happy to have them.”
Cannon won the Texas Class 4A state title in the 100-meter dash last year. Platt won the 400-meter state title three times. Harbour’s intention is to build Cannon and Platt up to speed order to have them ready for the NCAA championships.
“It’s a different kind of running [than football],” Harbour said. “It’s a little longer, more sustained, rather than the shorter 30- to 40-yard bursts you might go in football. It takes some time to make that transition and get your legs adjusted. The key word with these guys is patience. We want to be patient, because once they make the adjustment they could be awesome.”
The window is open for Cannon to compete in the 100-meter as well as the 4×100-meter relay event. Platt expects to compete in the 400-meter and 4×400-meter event.
Harbour said that the decision to race Cannon and Platt will eventually come down to director of track & field Clyde Hart and associate coach Michael Ford.
“If they say they’re ready, then we’ll cut them loose. I trust those guys. They know what they’re talking about.”
