Fernandez finishes 7th in 800-meters at Bryan Clay Invitational

PROVO, Utah — No. 2 BYU men’s track and field concluded day two of competition in California as Sebastian Fernandez placed seventh in the 800-meters at the Bryan Clay Invitational. 

Fernandez outran three top-25 opponents to clock a time of 1:47.38, seventh among 135 athletes spread out across 20 heats. The nationally-ranked opponents included Cash Powell of Long Beach State, Ayman Zahafi of Miami and Jacob Rodin of North Dakota State.

“He ran a really smart race,” BYU assistant distance coach Ryan Waite said. “The pace went out fast, but he hung back and was patient. Then he made a strong move in the last 300 meters and kicked past nearly everyone. Now that he has this time on the books, he has set himself up to have a really successful outdoor season.”

The performance was 0.35 seconds shy of the sophomore’s personal best, a time that became No. 5 all-time at BYU after the returning Second Team All-American (800-meters) broke a Robison Track and Field Complex facility record.

Southern Utah transfer Chase Clement competed in his first meet as a Cougar Friday, tossing a 62.65m/205-6 in the javelin throw to place thirteenth overall at the Beach Invitational.

Men’s events tomorrow resume at 9:00 a.m. PDT at the Beach Invitational (high jump), 1:45 p.m. PDT at the Mt. SAC Relays (discus throw) and 6:00 p.m. PDT at the Bryan Clay Invitational (1,500-meters).