Shurts leads No. 2 BYU on final day in Southern California

PROVO, Utah — No. 2 BYU track and field wrapped up competition in southern California as Dallin Shurts finished atop the discus throw at the Beach Invitational Saturday.

Beach Invitational

Long Beach, California | Jack Rose Track Stadium

Entering the weekend as the fourth-ranked discus thrower in the nation, Dallin Shurts took first with a heave of 59.45m/195-0. The performance became the senior’s eighth first-place finish in the discus throw at BYU as he stood atop the field of 79 participants.

“Today’s Beach Invitational was led by Dallin Shurts with his win in the discus throw,” BYU throws coach Nik Arrhenius said. “He had the winning effort on his last throw. Danny Bryant also improved his season-best in the shot put.”

Bryant took ninth at 53.66m/176-0 while Harrison Gould posted a throw of 50.07m/164-3.

Bryant also claimed fifth in the shot put after posting a throw of 18.22m/59-9.5. The heave was less than a foot behind No. 22 Trevor Otterdahl of North Dakota State.

Pole vaulters Nathan Burnett and Dallin Thornton both recorded new personal records Saturday, as Burnett improved by nearly a foot after registering a 5.17m/16-11.5 clearance to finish eighth. Thornton, a freshman from South Jordan, Utah, cleared the bar at 5.02m/16-5.5.

Bryan Clay Invitational

Azusa, California | Cougar Athletic Stadium

Seasoned distance runners Lucas Bons and Kenneth Rooks competed in the invite section of the 1,500-meter among several top athletes. Bons crossed the line at 3:46.57 and Rooks at 3:52.78.

Both First Team All-Americans in the distance medley relay at March’s NCAA Indoor Nationals, the run marked an improvement in Bons’ second 1500-meter race of the outdoor season. The run was Rooks’ first race in the event during the 2023 season.

Freshman Caleb Johnson embarked on his first collegiate event, debuting with a strong time of 3:47.82 in the open section of the 1,500m to place 20th among 190 runners.

Mt. SAC Relays

Walnut, California | Hilmer Lodge Stadium

Cameron Bates took sixth in the javelin throw, besting five of six top-25 opponents with a toss of 73.27m/240-4. Bates entered the weekend at No. 4 in the country after achieving a 76.07m/249-7 toss at the Texas Relays two weeks ago.

Caleb Witsken - No. 7 among pole vaulters in the country - finished with a clearance of 5.40m/17-8.5 to place 10th. 

The Cougars will be back in action next weekend with the Robison Invitational on Thursday through Saturday. A special alumni event will take place Saturday, April 22 as alumni are invited to join current BYU coaches for a meal and senior recognitions following the conclusion of the meet at approximately 4:30 p.m. MDT.

Alumni can click here to RSVP.