Cougars Continue to Impress

ALBUQUERQUE -- It was a day of accomplishment for the BYU track and field teams as several personal records were made at the UNM Cherry and Silver Invitational, demonstrating early progress from the previous two indoor meets.

“We had some absolutely great performances,” said BYU men’s track and field head coach Mark Robison. “Overall I thought we did very well and had several athletes step up and have big performances. It was a great facility and great competition and the men really showed that they are progressing.”

Continuing his exponential improvement with a new season best and the new title of No.1 jump in America, Robert Low competed in the pole vault with a height of 17 feet 10.5 inches.

Also acquiring a new season best in the high jump, Trevor Heiner cleared a height of 6 feet 10.25 inches.

Extending the records to the track, Tanner Emrich competed in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.29, while freshman Rhyan Atrice and junior Bryan Payne also placed season bests in the 400-meter dash with times of 48.15 and 49.09.

Representing the Cougars in the shot put, junior Daniel Lawson placed third overall with a distance of 56 feet 2.5 inches, while Oilver Whaley also recorded several personal records in the weight throw with a season best of 56 feet 8.5 inches.

Bringing in the distance runners, All-American seniors Jacob Gustaffson and Kyle Perry placed second and fourth in the 800-meter run with times of 1:51.28 and 1:52.11.

The BYU women’s team began the meet with a top finish and ended it in the same way. The Cougars earned three NCAA provisional marks, including five first-place finishes.

“We did outstanding,” said BYU women’s track and field head coach Craig Poole. “This teams future is looking very bright. We had several provisional qualifying marks and personal bests. Our staff couldn’t be more proud of how our athletes competed.”

Amy Menlove added two more NCAA provisional qualifying marks to her already impressive indoor season campaign. The All-American junior had provisional qualifying marks in the long jump (20-06.50) and 60-meter hurdles (8.27).

Menlove also placed first in the 4x400 relay (3:43.33) with teammates Nachelle Stewart, Mindy Neeley and Natalie Stewart, who breezed past their competition including Stanford and Arizona’s A teams.

Freshmen sisters Nachelle and Natalie Stewart continue to run with confidence. Natalie took first in the 400-meter (54.52), while Nachelle placed first in the 800-meter (2:11.26).

Ada Robinson also secured an NCAA provisional qualifying mark for the Cougars with a second place finish in the high jump (5-10.00). And Neeley added to the success with a personal best in the 60-meter with a time of 7.53.

"This was an all-around great meet," Poole said. "We look forward to competing here again next year."

For complete results of the Cherry and Silver Invitational go to RecordTiming.com. The Cougars will continue their indoor season next week in Seattle at the Washington Invitational.