Men's 4x100-meter relay sprint to second-fastest time in program history

PROVO, Utah - No. 8 BYU men’s track and field registered 16 personal records, including one of the fastest 4x100-meter relay performances in program history as the team embarked on a tuneup this weekend before the NCAA West Preliminaries take place May 24-27 in California.

The men’s 4x100m relay squad of Easton Bianchi, Dallin Draper, Abram Schaap and Trey Jackson became the second-fastest ever at BYU, crossing the line at 39.05 to surpass a record set just earlier this season (39.33). The squad now trails only the 1999 school record by 0.17 seconds and moves into No. 10 nationally and fourth in the NCAA west region.

“The guys ran really well in the 4x100 and our other athletes fed off that energy to get tons of PR's,” said BYU sprints coach Kyle Grossarth.

Dallin Draper sprinted his way to a 20.63 200-meter finish to become No. 6 all-time in program history and move into regional qualifying position, tying Isaiah Teer of Texas A&M for 21st in the NCAA West region. Easton Bianchi’s time of 20.76 also moved the senior up the regional qualifying chart, marking a tie for 32nd with Houston’s Aaron Bell. Four other Cougars set new personal records in the event - Josh Tayor (21.06), Jared Davis (21.13), Eli Hazlett (21.50) and Omar Aburouss (22.45).

“Dallin [Draper] and Easton [Bianchi] both ran great races,” Grossarth said. “Everybody’s going in the right direction as we get ready for regionals, which was the whole purpose this weekend. I’m excited to see what we can do tomorrow.”

The 400-meter hurdles race saw personal records for all participating Cougars. Jace Jensen moved to 30th in the region with a time of 51.87, followed by freshmen Treyton Anderson (52.01) and Logan Hubler (54.93).

Jake Grimsman improved on his personal best in the high jump with a clearance of 2.16m/7-1, surpassing his previous best of 2.11m/6-11. The Folsom, California native moves up to tie with Kelton Chenworth of Utah State for 10th in the region and 21st nationally.

Ben Barton and Dallin Vorkink competed in the first half of the decathlon. Barton notched personal records in four of Friday’s five events: the long jump (7.09m/23-3.25), shot put (13.20m/43-3.75), high jump (2.05m/6-8.75) and 400-meters (46.78). Vorkink had a personal best of his own in the shot put as the senior heaved for 14.15m/46-5.

Barton leads decathletes thus far with 4,296 points. The sophomore is currently ranked No. 7 in the nation to hold strong on a national qualifying position.

Dallin Shurts led the way in the discus throw, winding up for a 59.08m/193-10 mark. Shurts holds steady at sixth in the region. Danny Bryant threw for a new personal record of 55.56m/182-3.5. The performance puts the sophomore in the mix of regional qualifying position at 40th.

The Cougars return to action at the Robison Track tomorrow, beginning with the 10,000-meters at 7:50 a.m. MDT.