KAHUKU, Hawai’i – The BYU women’s cross country team took first place in its season opener at the 19th annual Big Wave Invitational on Saturday.
The Cougars entered the meet ranked No. 6 in the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) preseason national rankings. The women competed in a 5K race and earned a perfect score of 15 points overall after sweeping the top-13 spots.
“We accomplished what we wanted to today,” BYU associate director of cross country and track and field Diljeet Taylor said. “I’m proud of the pack running from the women and am very excited to return to Provo to continue working hard this season.”
Whittni Orton (18:05.00) finished in first place in the 5K race and led the Cougars to victory in her first meet back since an injury cut her 2018 season short. All-American Erica Birk-Jarvis finished close behind in second with a time of 18:07.00. Olivia Hoj clocked 18:09.17 to round out the top-three.
The women secured the next 10 spots, starting with All-American Courtney Wayment (18:09.97) in fourth place. Sadie Sargent (18:29.52) placed fifth, Alissa Fielding finished close behind in sixth place with a time of 18:29.82 and Aubrey Frentheway (18:30.00) took seventh. Freshman Ember Stratton placed 13th overall for her college debut and clocked a time of 18:55.00.
Women’s Team Notables
BYU women’s team secured 13 of the top-20 spots, with a perfect score of 15
Whittni Orton returned for a first-place finish overall
All-Americans Erica Birk-Jarvis and Courtney Wayment placed second and fourth, respectively
Freshman Ember Stratton competed in her first collegiate race
After a two-week break, the BYU men’s and women’s cross country teams will host the BYU Autumn Classic on Saturday, Sept. 14, and race on their home course at the East Bay Golf Course.