PROVO, Utah — The BYU track and field program prepares to split states with distance and throws crews headed to Washington and sprints, hurdles and jumps to New Mexico Feb. 14-15.
Women's Preview
Lexy Halladay-Lowry and Riley Chamberlain headline the BYU women's distance squad heading into the Husky Classic. Halladay-Lowry clocked 14:57.63 in the 5000-meters Jan. 31 at the John Thomas Terrier Classic to break a BYU school record and rank No. 3 in the NCAA this season. Chamberlain also broke a program record for the Cougars with her 4:26.19 and ranks No. 3 in the NCAA this season. The teammates will meet in the middle of their respective distances to race the 3000m Friday.
Gretchen Hoekstre and the throws squad will also head to Washington. Hoekstre ranks No. 18 in the NCAA with her 17.17m/56-4 shot put mark achieved at the Snake River Open. The senior currently holds BYU's No. 2 all-time mark in the event.
Sami Oblad will race the 400m in New Mexico as she looks to improve upon her No. 3 Big 12 ranking at 53.18. Paje Rasmussen and Lindsey Middleton will also look to improve upon their personal bests achieved at the Roman Ruiz Speed and Power Invite. Rasmussen clocked 7.49 in the 60m and Middleton 8.58 in the 60m hurdles.
Maren Garnett and Rebekah Erikson will lead the jumps group in New Mexico as they rank No. 11 and No. 19 in the NCAA in the pole vault. Garnett broke the BYU school record on Jan. 11 with her 4.45m/14-7.25 clearance and Erikson ranks No. 3 all-time with her 4.39m/14-14-4.75 jump Feb. 1.
"The team has been looking very good in practice," said jumps and mulits coach Tiffany Hogan. "Our training has been going remarkably well. I expect some great performances from the jumps and combined events group. This is our final meet going into the Big 12 Conference Championships and they look ready."
Men's Preview
The BYU men's distance and throws groups will also compete in Washington alongside the women. Joey Nokes will return to the track after running a program No. 2 all-time performance of 13:20.76 in the 5000m just two weeks prior. Danny Bryant is set to compete having thrown a new personal best in the shot put earlier this season of 19.25m/63-2.
"The men have been working hard and are looking forward to great competition at the Husky Classic to push them to Big-12 and NCAA qualifying marks," said director of track and field Ed Eyestone. "We hope to see big performances in the 3000m from seniors Casey Clinger, Joey Nokes, Aidan Troutner and Creed Thompson. We also expect big outings in the mile from All-Americans Lucas Bons and Carter Cutting."
The men's sprints/multi-event groups will also compete in New Mexico at the Don Kirby Elite Invitational. In sprints, the men have come off successful outings at the Dr. Sander Scorcher on Jan. 24. where Ben Barton and Logan Hubler each ran program top-10 marks in the 60m hurdles.
"We are excited about going to New Mexico and competing at one of the great indoor venues in the country," said sprints coach Kyle Grossarth. "The 400m squad is ready to drop some good times this week after a couple of weeks of some really good training. This will be a good test for our team as we prepare for the Big 12 Conference Championships."
Up Next
Following the Husky Classic and Don Kirby Elite Invitationals, the Cougars will compete in the distance medley relay at the Alex Wilson Invitational Feb. 22 in Notre Dame, Indiana.