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Ben Bluhm | Posted: 18 Jan 2020 | Updated: 8 Nov 2020
Ben Bluhm

Women Take First, Men Second at Air Force Invite

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Michael Bluth gets ready to run the 60m dash

Complete Results

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Zach McWhorter tied the NCAA leading mark in the pole vault as multiple records contributed to BYU track and field team’s strong performance at the Air Force Invitational Thursday through Saturday. 

The women’s team took first-place in a field that consisted of Colorado State, Wyoming, Colorado, Northern Colorado, Air Force and UC-Colorado Springs. The men came in second behind Air Force.

"We had some great performances this weekend," Track & Field Associate Head Coach Mark Robison said. "It's early in the season and we're learning, but we're pleased with how we're progressing. We have a big meet next weekend and think these past few days helped us get ready for New York."

Competition at the Air Force Invite opened with performances from the pentathletes and heptathletes. Caleb Witsken led the Cougars with a third-place finish overall in the heptathlon (4483 points). Witsken earned personal bests in the long jump (6.47m/21-2.75), the shot put (12.89m/42-3.50) and the pole vault with a mark of 5.15m/16-10.75. 

Day two was headlined by Sable Lohmeier’s personal-best toss of 17.63m/57-10.25 in the weight throw. This mark placed Lohmeier at No. 6 all-time in BYU history. Several Cougars also improved their weight throw personal records including Taegan Keep (16.20m/53-1.75), Alyssa Workman (15.22m/49-11.25) and Katelyn Foutz (13.61m/44-8.00). 

For his second meet in BYU uniform, McWhorter cleared 5.55m/18-2.50 to place him No. 2 all-time on the school record board. McWhorter’s mark also tied him for first in the NCAA. 

Kyndal Stewart-Pothier set a new career-high and took first place in the women’s pole vault after clearing 3.95m/12-11.50. 

In the men's 60m Andrew Stuart took first after clocking a career-best time of 6.89. Michael Bluth captured the 200m crown with a time of 21.61. 

Jaslyn Gardner displayed another strong performance to win the women’s 200m (24.38) and earned an indoor personal record. 

Team captain Rickey Fantroy Jr. won the men’s triple jump with a mark of 15.44m/50'8" and Jacob Peister placed second at 14.83m/48'8."

A career-best followed Jesus Serrano as he took first in the men's 60m hurdles with a time of 8.00. Freshman Chloe Taylor ran a personal-best 8.91 to take fifth in the women’s 60m hurdles. 

Sierra Freeland finished second in the women’s shot put with a mark of 14.44m (47-4.50). Addisyn Peacock placed fourth (12.89m/42'3.50") and Jessica Thompson was fifth (12.28m 40'3.50"). Sophomore Talin Mortensen came in fifth in the men’s shot put throwing 14.96m 49'1.”

Freshman Cierra Tidwell was the highest collegiate finisher in the women’s high jump as she cleared 1.76m/5'9.25" to place fourth overall. 

The Cougars will continue on the road next week in New York to compete at the Dr. Sanders Invitational at the Armory Track and Field Center. Live stats and meet information can be found on the BYU track and field schedule page two days before the meet.

 

 
Natalie Lopez | Posted: 15 Jan 2020 | Updated: 8 Nov 2020
Natalie Lopez

Cougars to compete at Air Force Invitational

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BYU runners sprinting intensely

PROVO, Utah – BYU track and field will travel to compete at the Air Force Invitational at the Cadet Field House on Thursday, Jan. 16. Events will continue through Saturday, Jan. 18.

“The coaches will be taking a very talented group to Colorado,” BYU head coach Ed Eyestone said. “Some of the same people who did very well last weekend will be competing against even stronger competition in the Air Force Invitational. They’ll be in a bigger field and we’ll see what they can do.”

The men's heptathlon and the women's pentathlon will begin on Thursday, Jan. 16. The rest of the team will compete on Friday and Saturday. 

The Cougars are set to compete against the men’s and women’s teams from Air Force, Colorado, Colorado State, Northern Colorado, UCCS and Wyoming. This marks the 10th-straight year BYU has competed at the U.S. Air Force Academy during the indoor track and field season. In the past, the Air Force Academy has hosted a scored team challenge. In the 2019 season, the men’s team took first place with 163 points while the women’s team finished in second with 111 points. This year the meet is an invitational. 

Eyestone is looking forward to seeing the pole vault event group compete, including Zach McWhorter and Elise Romney. Last week at the BYU Indoor Invite, McWhorter made his collegiate career with a first-place jump of 5.52m/18-1.25 in the pole vault for the No. 4 all-time mark in BYU history. McWhorter is currently ranked second in the NCAA for his mark. Romney took first in the women’s pole vault last weekend and is No. 5 on the BYU indoor record board for her personal-best mark of 4.17m/13-8.25 from the 2019 season. 

Sierra Freeland will also be competing in the Air Force Invitational and will bring a competitive showing for the BYU throws team. At the BYU Indoor Invite, Freeland won the women’s shot put with a career-best toss of 15.28m/50-0.50. This placed Freeland at the No. 7 spot on the school record board. 

Eyestone hopes to see another strong performance from Jaslyn Gardner following her record-breaking run in the 60m dash at the BYU Indoor Invite. Gardner placed first and broke the school record with a time of 7.39. 

Eyestone is excited to see Michael Bluth race in the men’s 60m and 200m. As another Cougar force in the short sprints, Clark Brown will compete in the men’s 60m. A week ago, Brown clocked a career-best time of 6.73 for the 10th-fastest 60m in school history.

Follow BYU track and field on Twitter and Instagram @BYUTFXC for team updates. Live results can be found on the BYU track and field schedule page on the day of the meet. The schedule of events and meet information can be found on goairforcefalcons.com.