PROVO -- Despite the Provo wind, the BYU men and women's track teams dominated their own Cougar Invitational Friday at the BYU Track and Field Complex.

Opening the meet was the women's hammer throw where BYU senior, Malita Bingham improved on three consecutive throws to finish at 176-09.00 (53.88m) giving her a regional qualifying mark.

Following Bingham's qualifying performance, the women swept the 1500m Steeplechase taking first through fourth place. Easily dominating the entire race was last years NCAA Steeplechase Champion, Kassi Andersen, who finished the race in 4:53.33.

"It really feels good to be back again in the Steeplechase," junior Kassi Andersen said. "This wasn't the full 3000m Steeplechase we usually do and so it was a good wake up call for me."

Following Andersen was All-American Lisa Antonelli in second place (5:02.25), freshman Amber Harper in third (5:04.62) and Kristy Barrus in fourth (5:18.92).

"Kassi looked very good," women's coach Patrick Shane said. "She looks better this year than she did last year at this time. To add to that we have Amber [Harper] in her first race and Lisa [Antonelli] and Kristy Barrus who look way ahead of schedule for this years training."

On the men's side many of the athletes had their personal best performances including Josh McAdams in the 1500-meter who with a time of 3:55.30 completely dominated the entire race and Matt Anderson in the long jump who won the event with an improved jump of 23-10.75 (7.28m) edging closer to a regional qualifying mark.

"I felt like that was just a good day for competition," Anderson said. "The first three jumps weren't into the wind and so that was good. But I was really hoping the wind wouldn't have come up because I was looking for a regional qualifying mark. However, I felt like my approach was really good today."

Closing the meet for the Cougars was All-American Rodrigo Mendes, who in his season opener jumped 50-4.25 (15.35m) to win the triple jump.

"I feel really good and think that this is a good start to the outdoor season," Mendes said.

Overall the Cougars had a strong day on their home track.

"For the most part we really did ok," men's head coach Mark Robison said. "All the athletes really did a good job in this incredible weather. We are looking forward to future competition and to be able to come back and compete here on our home track later this month at the Robison Invitational."

PROVO -- The Cougars will host their first home meet, the 2004 BYU Cougar Invitational, of the outdoor season Friday at the BYU Outdoor Track and Field Complex.

Facing the Cougars on their home turf will be athletes from all over the state including Southern Utah University, University of Utah, Utah Valley State College, Weber State University and different track clubs within the state.

"This is a local meet with local teams attending," women's head coach Craig Poole said. "There will be excellent competition for people here at home."

BYU is traditionally known to have one of the fastest tracks in the state, thus the Cougars have a good chance of scoring high this weekend.

"For many of our athletes this will be their first time to compete not only this season but at home," women's assistant track coach Dick Legas said. "We expect to be better this weekend than last week."

Some of the top women to catch this Friday will be the women's 1500m Steeplechase with last year's National Champion Kassi Andersen. She will be competing against freshman Amber Harper and All-American in the steeplechase Lisa Antonelli.

On the men's side, many athletes will open up their outdoor season. Particularly many of the distance runners, including Brian Lindsay, and field event athletes will show their strength for BYU.

"There really isn't a better facility to compete in," men's head coach Mark Robison said. "We are hoping for good weather and an opportunity for everyone to compete."

The meet will begin at 1 p.m. with the women's hammer throw and the running events will begin at 2 p.m. with a shortened steeplechase of 1500m.

"Overall, this will be nice for our guys to be able to stay home," men's distance coach Ed Eyestone said. "We are excited to host and welcome Utah to Provo."

Below is a new updated schedule of the meet. For additional information about BYU track and field or the Cougar Invite please contact AmyAnn Rupp at (801)376-3620.

BYU COUGAR INVITE SCHEDULE

Field Events

1:00 Hammer women

1:00 Pole Vault women

2:00 Hammer men

2:00 Shot Put women

2:00 Long Jump men & women (2 pits)

triple jump to follow the long jump

2:00 High Jump men

3:00 Shot Put men

3:00 Pole Vault men

3:00 Javelin men

3:00 Discus women

3:30 High Jump women

4:00 Discus men

Running Events

2:00 1500m SC women

2:15 5000m women

2:35 3000m SC men

2:50 4x100m women

2:55 4x100m men

3:00 1500m women

3:10 1500m women

3:15 100mH women

3:20 110mH men

3:25 400m women

3:30 400m men

3:35 100m women

3:40 100m men

3:50 800m women

4:00 800m men

4:10 400mH women

4:15 400mH men

4:30 5000m men

4:45 4x400m women

4:50 4x400m men