Track team heads to Iowa and Idaho

PROVO, Utah—After a week off from competition, pole vaulters and high jumpers will head to the Boise State Challenge and the rest of the team will compete in the Iowa State Classic this weekend, Friday, Feb. 10 to Saturday, Feb. 11.

“We’re excited this week because we’ve got the most athletes competing than we have this season,” BYU head coach Ed Eyestone said. “This is a crucial week for us because now we’re established in the season and it will be our last big meet before the MPSF Indoor Championships. This weekend will be an opportunity for many of our athletes to be in faster races and going for faster times. That’s what we're focusing on—getting them in the right heat so they have the opportunity to run personal bests for the season.”

Eyestone said they want to see the athletes improving even if they already have a solid time or mark to make it to the NCAA Indoor Championships. For those who are not quite there, Eyestone hopes they can get in situations where they will run faster times to punch a ticket to the championships.

Sprinters, middle distance, distance, long jumpers and throwers will head to Ames, Iowa for the Iowa State Classic.

Distance runner, Clayton Young is ranked at No. 3 in the men’s 3,000m which should stick as a qualifying time for the championships. Rory Linkletter (No. 15) and Jonathan Harper (No. 16) are not far behind Young in the 3,000m qualifying rankings. Erica Birk-Jarvis, another middle-distance runner is ranked No. 33 in the women’s 3,000m and will be looking to improve her time to qualify for the championships.

The BYU coaching staff is looking for time improvements from Tatenda Tsumba in the 60m and 200m races. Eyestone said they know he is capable of getting the times needed and they look forward to the race he can put together.

Shea Collinsworth previously raced a time of 2:04.39 this season in the 800m to take her to the championships. Other athletes close to qualifying include Olivia Hoj (ranked 14th) with a time of 16:22.10 and Yesenia Silva (ranked 16th) with a time of 16:25.62.

High jumpers headed to the Boise State Challenge include Zachary Blackham and Andrea Stapleton. Blackham is No. 12 on the men’s high jump qualifying list and Stapleton is No. 11 on the women’s high jump qualifying list. Along with the high jumpers, the pole vaulters will also be traveling up to compete in the Boise State Challenge.

For a full schedule of events at the Boise State Challenge, click here. Live stats for the Iowa State Classic can be found on the BYU women's track and field schedule or live Twitter updates from the team can be found at @BYUTFXC."