PROVO, Utah - No. 8 BYU men’s track and field registered 16 personal records, including one of the fastest 4x100-meter relay performances in program history as the team embarked on a tuneup this weekend before the NCAA West Preliminaries take place May 24-27 in California.

The men’s 4x100m relay squad of Easton Bianchi, Dallin Draper, Abram Schaap and Trey Jackson became the second-fastest ever at BYU, crossing the line at 39.05 to surpass a record set just earlier this season (39.33). The squad now trails only the 1999 school record by 0.17 seconds and moves into No. 10 nationally and fourth in the NCAA west region.

“The guys ran really well in the 4x100 and our other athletes fed off that energy to get tons of PR's,” said BYU sprints coach Kyle Grossarth.

Dallin Draper sprinted his way to a 20.63 200-meter finish to become No. 6 all-time in program history and move into regional qualifying position, tying Isaiah Teer of Texas A&M for 21st in the NCAA West region. Easton Bianchi’s time of 20.76 also moved the senior up the regional qualifying chart, marking a tie for 32nd with Houston’s Aaron Bell. Four other Cougars set new personal records in the event - Josh Tayor (21.06), Jared Davis (21.13), Eli Hazlett (21.50) and Omar Aburouss (22.45).

“Dallin [Draper] and Easton [Bianchi] both ran great races,” Grossarth said. “Everybody’s going in the right direction as we get ready for regionals, which was the whole purpose this weekend. I’m excited to see what we can do tomorrow.”

The 400-meter hurdles race saw personal records for all participating Cougars. Jace Jensen moved to 30th in the region with a time of 51.87, followed by freshmen Treyton Anderson (52.01) and Logan Hubler (54.93).

Jake Grimsman improved on his personal best in the high jump with a clearance of 2.16m/7-1, surpassing his previous best of 2.11m/6-11. The Folsom, California native moves up to tie with Kelton Chenworth of Utah State for 10th in the region and 21st nationally.

Ben Barton and Dallin Vorkink competed in the first half of the decathlon. Barton notched personal records in four of Friday’s five events: the long jump (7.09m/23-3.25), shot put (13.20m/43-3.75), high jump (2.05m/6-8.75) and 400-meters (46.78). Vorkink had a personal best of his own in the shot put as the senior heaved for 14.15m/46-5.

Barton leads decathletes thus far with 4,296 points. The sophomore is currently ranked No. 7 in the nation to hold strong on a national qualifying position.

Dallin Shurts led the way in the discus throw, winding up for a 59.08m/193-10 mark. Shurts holds steady at sixth in the region. Danny Bryant threw for a new personal record of 55.56m/182-3.5. The performance puts the sophomore in the mix of regional qualifying position at 40th.

The Cougars return to action at the Robison Track tomorrow, beginning with the 10,000-meters at 7:50 a.m. MDT.

PROVO, Utah — No. 8 BYU men’s track and field will compete in its final meet of the regular season at the BYU Last Chance Meet at Clarence Robison Track and Field Complex May 12-13.

BYU Last Chance Meet | May 12-13

• Venue: Clarence Robison Track and Field Complex | Provo, Utah
• Friday events begin at 10:45 a.m. MDT with the heptathlon 100-meter hurdles.
• Saturday events begin at 7:50 a.m. MDT with the men's 10,000-meters. 
• Free admission

As an outdoor track and field Independent, the Cougars are without access to a conference championship meet this weekend. The Last Chance Meet represents a vital opportunity for BYU to shore-up entries for the NCAA West Preliminary meet to be held in Sacramento, California May 24-27.  Athletes with top-48 marks or times qualify to compete at the regional and there vie for a spot at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Austin, Texas June 7-10.

BYU currently has 29 likely entries (top-39 rankings) across 14 different events. This includes four in the 5000-meters, five in the 10,000 and 3,000-meter steeplechase, along with three javelin throwers.

Six BYU men are just within qualifying range with regional rankings 40th through 45th. Eli Hazlett and Josh Taylor (400m), Luke Grundvig (10,000m), Jace Jensen (400-meter hurdles), Dallin Thornton (pole vault) and Danny Bryant (discus throw) each have work to do to retain their hold on a qualifying spot.

Four Cougars are on the outside looking in heading into the Last Chance Meet. Easton Bianchi needs to improve a season-best 10.37 to 10.33 for qualifying position in the 100m. Distance runners Christian Allen and Luke Grundvig are a few spots out in the 5,000m and need to run 13:47.79 to advance. Jacob Stanford finds himself six spots out of qualifying in the 10,000m and must target a time of 28:53.29 for entry.

*Not an NCAA qualifying time (set at a professional meet).

At the national level, BYU boasts 14 top-25 ranked men; third-most behind only Arkansas (18) and Texas Tech (19). Six of those BYU athletes rank in the top-10 in their respective events.

2023 marks the Cougars’ final season holding the Last Chance Meet. Beginning in 2024, BYU will compete in the Big 12 Outdoor Track and Field Championships on the second weekend in May.