Full team in action this weekend at Boise, Iowa meets

PROVO, Utah – This weekend is the final tune-up for BYU track and field before the conference meet when they compete in both the Iowa State Classic and Boise State Challenge on Feb. 12-13.

The majority of the team will travel to Ames, Iowa, while BYU associate head coach Mark Robison will bring the high jumpers and pole vaulters to Boise, Idaho.

Time is now running short for athletes trying to nab a qualifying mark for the NCAA Indoor Championships. BYU head coach Ed Eyestone hopes some of his athletes can take that step this weekend.

“The men’s 4x400 meters team is a group that has a chance to qualify for the national meet, so we’re hoping to put together our best four people this week,” Eyestone said. “I think if everybody has a season-best performance then I think we have a good chance of getting our team qualified.”

Tatenda Tsumba will lead off the 4x400 meters relay, Jesse White and Sean Adams will fill the second and third spots, and Shaquille Walker will run last in the anchor position.

Eyestone said his All-American might make an appearance in yet another event this weekend.

“We think Shaquille will run in the 400 meters in addition to the 4x400 meters relay," Eyestone said. "It all depends on how he is feeling, so we haven’t quite decided yet. If he does, I think it will be a nice speed work opportunity that will help him prepare individually for the 800 meters at the national meet.”

Getting another one of his team’s to the NCAA Championships is also on Eyestone’s mind.

“The other thing we’re trying to do is continue to see improvement from our middle distance runners because we’re trying to put together the best distance medley relay team we can,” Eyestone said. “We feel like we can qualify a DMR team for the national meet as well. The middle distance group will be positioning themselves by running individual events this weekend. It’s almost like they’ll be having open auditions to see who will run the 1200 meters and mile legs of the DMR at the MPSF Championships. From there we'll try to qualify our team for the NCAA's.”

He identified the middle distance runners he believes are prepared to have a big weekend. Marcus Dickson (mile), Chase Horrocks (mile), Talem Franco (mile) and Connor Ross (800 meters) are all competing for a spot on the DMR team.

To follow live results from this weekend’s meets, visit the BYU men’s track and field schedule page.