Cougars Go Faster, Higher, Farther at Boise

PROVO -- The BYU track team won 12 events on Saturday at the Hampton Inn and Suites Classic in Boise, Idaho, including six events by both the men's and women's team.

The men received their first NCAA provisional qualifying marks of the season.

Leif Arrhenius tossed the 35-pound weight 63 feet seven inches to qualify, while All-American Trent Powell qualified by clearing 17'0.75" in the pole vault and jumper Rodrigo Mendes leapt 50'11.5" on his was to a provisional mark..

"We had very good performances today," BYU men's track coach Mark Robison said. "I saw a lot of improvement."

Robison said he was especially pleased with the improvements he saw from the pole-vaulters.

Once again the women's team was anchored by Amy Menlove, who won the 60-meter hurdles, the 60m dash and the long jump. Lindsey Metcalf cleared 6'0.5" to gain an automatic qualifying mark.

The women's team also received strong performances from Ann Heiner who won the 3000m in 10 minutes 16.25 seconds and Kamila Rywelska, who received provisional mark with a leap of 42'9.5" in the triple jump.

Liis Berendsen also made strong showings in the long jump, finishing second to Menlove, and the 60m hurdles, where she also finished second to Menlove.

The men also performed thanks to David Pendergrass victory in the high jump and Josh Rohatinsky's performance in the 800m.

With two dominating meets in the two weeks, the Cougars are looking forward to improving again next week when the go to Seattle where the times will be faster thanks to a lower altitude.

"I was pleased overall with our performances today," Robison said. "Next week we'll be even faster. I'm excited for next week."