FAYETTEVILLE -- It was another historic day at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships as three Cougars from the BYU men’s track and field team earned All-America honors.
Senior All-American Kyle Perry added his fifth All-America honor and first national champion title to his resume, while junior Richard Nelson tallied his first. Both raced in the 3,000-meter steeplechase.
Representing the Cougars in the field events, senior Robert Low concluded his collegiate career with a lifetime best and first All-America title in the pole vault finals.
“We had a terrific day,” said BYU track and field head coach Mark Robison. “I couldn’t be happier for our two seniors. What a great way for them to finish up their college career. They gave us some good points and put us in a great position to finish up the season.”
In an incredible race in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, Perry and junior regional champion Richard Nelson proudly represented the talent of BYU.
With hopes of concluding his collegiate career with his fifth All-America honor, Perry filed into the lead half-way through the race pushing his way to the finish line. In a landslide lead, Perry landed first-place by six seconds with a lifetime best time of 8:29.24.
“I just did what I had to do,” said Perry. “It’s very exciting, and I had a huge personal record by nine seconds. I may have taken the win, but it hurt every step of the way this time. It was a hard pace, but I knew I couldn’t leave anything on the track, so I ran through the pain. I’m glad I ended my career with two wins.”
This marks Perry’s fifth All-America honor, receiving his fourth and most recent at the NCAA cross country national championships this past season with a season best 10th-place time of 29:46.1.
Advancing to the No. 2 spot in the BYU record books and first in the Mountain West Conference, Perry is the second national champion in the last four years for the Cougars. Prior to Perry was Olympian Josh McAdams.
Keeping both BYU runners in the top-10, Nelson refused to surrender coming in 10th landing a time of 8:50.08.
“Kyle ran a masterful race,” said BYU distance coach Ed Eyestone. “He took control with three laps to go then pushed the pace and broke open the field giving him a landslide win. Nelson ran strong as well, but was still a little fatigued from the preliminary rounds. It’s a great accomplishment for them to both earn All-America honors.”
Adding to BYU’s historical night, senior Bob Low entered the final round of the pole vault competition with hopes of ending his season with an All-America honor in hand.
Leading for the majority of the competition, Low finished off the day tying his lifetime best clearing a height of 5.45 meters (17 feet 10.5 inches). This placed Low third overall with his first and final All-America title.
“Third place is pretty good,” said Low. “Everything felt good; I felt healthy and the conditions were good. I knew I could do well today so I went out and did the best I could knowing that I had it in me to get a medal. It’s a great way to end the season and my career.”
“Bob did fabulous tonight,” said Robison. “To tie your lifetime best in the biggest meet of your life is just phenomenal.”
The final day of the NCAA Outdoor National Championships will resume Saturday with the men’s discus at 10 a.m. CT.
For complete results of Friday’s events click here.
Cougar Final Results From Nationals
Name Event Schedule/Results
Blaine Baker Javelin Finished 18th
Meelis Kosk Decathlon Pulled out due to injury
Bob Low Pole Vault Finished 3rd
Richard Nelson 3000m Steeplechase Finished 10th
Kyle Perry 3000m Steeplechase Finished 1st
Kevin Ahlstrom 4x400m relay Did not advance (3:06.60)
Rhyan Atrice 4x400m relay Did not advance (3:06.60)
Kevin Biesinger 4x400m relay Did not advance (3:06.60)
Rob Skidmore 4x400m relay Did not advance (3:06.60)
Stephan Shay 10000m Finished 17th (29:43.25)
* All Times Central