PROVO, Utah – The BYU track and field distance groups will head to Washington University to compete at the Husky Classic on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 9-10.
Meet Information: Schedule
Live Stream: Runnerspace
Live Results: PNTFO
Men's Preview
The BYU men's distance crew will see depth in various events, with 16 Cougars competing throughout the meet.
"We've had a couple meets to kind of sharpen things up," said BYU director of track and field Ed Eyestone. "Really, this weekend in Seattle is our last opportunity to try to nail national qualifying marks. I think the guys realize this and they are excited for that opportunity. The track is a fast track. It has produced national qualifying marks in the past. My guys are ready, prepared and excited about the prospect of qualifying for Big 12 Championships and also NCAA Nationals."
The 5000-meter will see recent sub four-minute milers Lucas Bons and Aidan Troutner in the field, along with teammates James Corrigan, Joey Nokes, Jacob Stanford and Dalton Mortensen. Bons clocked a 3:54.82 at the John Thomas Terrier Classic on Jan. 26 to improve upon his No. 2 spot on the program indoor records. Troutner enters the race having run 3:59.2 at elevation in the Smith Fieldhouse on Jan. 13, which put him at No. 7 all-time.
The 800m will feature Sebastian Fernandez and Bons, with freshmen Carter Cutting, Hayden Gray, Joe Lighthall and Zarek Proffit. Fernandez most recently ran a 1:51:84 in Boston.
Women's Preview
The BYU women's distance group heads to the Husky Classic after recent career-best outings at the John Terrier Thomas Classic at Boston University. Five new program top-10 times were run in races where the competition field was composed of collegiate and professional athletes alike.
"I'm hopeful for a great weekend for my women," said distance coach Diljeet Taylor. "We are looking forward to competing at the Dempsey. We had great success in Boston two weeks ago and we are ready to move forward with the confidence we gained there. Overall, we are excited for the competition and are looking forward to big performances across the board."
Two Cougars ran under 4:35.00 in the mile at the Terrier Classic, with Riley Chamberlain crossing in 4:30.26 and Carmen Alder in 4:34.37. Chamberlain ranks No. 2 all-time on the BYU program indoor records, with Alder at No. 6.
The 5000m in Boston saw three top-10 marks, with Jenna Hutchins crossing the finish in 15:30.99. Lexy Halladay-Lowry and Aubrey Frentheway crossed the line next for the Cougars, finishing in 15:31.03 and 15:31.69, respectively. Hutchins placed No. 3 all-time, with Halladay-Lowry at No. 4 and Frentheway at No. 6.