Last Chance for Track

Provo, Utah (March 3, 2004) -- With only one week before the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, BYU athletes will get one last chance to qualify for nationals. This Saturday a few athletes will compete at the Intermountain Championships in Pocatello, Idaho.

The men's team, who are currently ranked third in the power rankings and No. 9 in the nation, will send several different athletes including jumper Rodrigo Mendes, thrower Dan Arrhenius, pole vaulter Trent Powell and middle-distance runner Chad Simpkins, who are close to going to Nationals and give them one last try to get better qualifying marks.

"We ran everyone so hard last week at the MWC Championships that we are not 100% on what will happen there or what kind of competition will be there," men's head coach Mark Robison said. "In certain events there will be great competition, especially in the Distance Medley Relay, it will be incredible."

On the No. 9 women's side, the team is only sending freshman Amy Menlove and sophomore Kamila Rywelska who both have already qualified for Nationals but look to improve their consistency and ensure their spot at Nationals.

"This will be nice for these two women to have a specialty meet to work on their jumps and really prepare them for their first national competition," women's head coach Craig Poole said.

After the athletes return from this weekends competition both teams will head to the NCAA Indoor Championship Meet held March 12 and 13 in Fayetteville, Ark.