Cougars Continue to Dominate on the Road

SEATTLE -- Despite being split between two meets, the BYU track and field teams continued to prove their strength by landing several first-place finishes and personal records this weekend at the Bronco and Washington Invitationals.

“We had a good meet,” said BYU men’s track and field head coach Mark Robison. “There was really good competition here in Washington and no one was hurt. I’m very pleased and I’m excited for us to just go and get ready for New York this upcoming week.”

Representing the sprinters, freshman Ryan Atrice placed second overall in the 400-meter dash, barely beating out his personal record of 48:15 to a new time of 48:14.

Stepping it up for the distance runners with an NCAA provisional qualifying mark in the 3000-meter run was sophomore Brandon Hebbert with a time of 8:04.23.

Tying for first place in the pole vault, Robert Low cleared a height of 17 feet 7 inches, while junior Leif Arrhenius was beat out in the shot put by only one centimeter with a distance of 18.21m (59 feet 9 inches).

Oliver Whaley tallied a first-place finish for the Cougars in the weight throw with a distance of 58 feet 7.5 inches.

While the Washington Invitational was the stronger meet for the men’s team, Boise proved to be phenomenal for the women’s team finishing up in day two.

”We had some very solid performances today,” said women’s pole vault coach Erik Rasumssen. “Everyone competed at a high level and several athletes came away with PR’s.”

After the women’s relay team received an automatic placement for nationals, the women’s team looked forward to the following events for further BYU recognition.

Concluding the Bronco Invitational, Ashley Sheppard and Kari Clark dominated in the pole vault taking both first and second places for BYU, clearing heights of 12 feet 8 inches (Clark) and 12 feet 4 inches (Sheppard). The scores were new personal bests for both athletes.

Proving to be a successful day in the field events, Madara Dzalbe placed second in the triple jump with a distance of 38 feet 9.25 inches while junior Tara Anderson placed fourth in the long jump with a distance of 17 feet 8.25 inches.

The Cougars will continue their road dominance as they head to New York and Pocatello to compete in the New Balance and ISU Invitationals next weekend.

For complete results for the Bronco and Washington Invitationals go to www.trackshark.com.

CLICK HERE for day one recap.