SEATTLE--Lauren Baxter, Shea Martinez, Rachel Stewart and Sarah Yingling of BYU debuted with a first-place finish Friday in the women's distance medley relay at the Washington Invitational.

The medley team consisted of sprinter Baxter and Martinez, both true freshmen, sophomore Stewart and senior distance runner Yingling.  The squad ran a time 11:31.40, a full nine seconds faster than the second place team and conference rival, Portland.

“The highlight of the weekend was the girl’s winning the DMR last night,” head coach Ed Eyestone said. “And the performance of the meet was Allysa Hansen in the 800, she won when it was down to the wire." 

Other notable performances include Hansen who won the open section of the 800m with a time of 2:10.87. Kensey Berry won the open 400m race with a time of 56.54. Makenna Smith had a 10 second personal record in the 800 with a time of 9:41.14.

“We had a good solid day, and we have a quick turn around because we leave to New York on Wednesday,” Eyestone said. “So we will get back and get some good practice in and then head out.”

The Cougars compete next at the New Balance Invitational on Feb. 7 and 8.

Full results can be found at GoHuskies.com

PROVO, Utah – The BYU women’s track team is traveling to Seattle to compete Friday and Saturday in the Washington Invitational.

The Washington Invitational is a very popular distance meet, with most of the distance teams across the West making their debut.

From BYU, true freshman Shae Martinez will run the 800m. All-American senior Andrea Nelson Harrison will run the 3K and senior Lindsey Sowards Nielson will also compete in the 3K.

“I think Shea Martinez has already run well in her opening 800m, and she will have some better competition this time,” BYU head coach Ed Eyestone said.  “We would love it if she ran a race that could get her to nationals, which would be huge for a true freshman.“

Rachel Fisher had an excellent performance in the pole vault at the Air Force Invitational and is expected to have another great weekend at UW with great pole vault facilities. The Cougars will also make their debut in the distance medley relay. 

“This is a big distance weekend, so we are looking for good positive things happening there,” Eyestone said.  “And then we are just looking for additional improvement in the various events.“

The meet will begin Friday Jan. 31 at 1:00 p.m. PST. Results will be posted at GoHuskies.com.