Kosk and Robins Lead Cougars After Day One

PROVO -- Kicking off the 2009 BYU Clarence Robison Invitational, the BYU men’s and women’s track and field teams pushed through day one for a strong start in the heptathlon and decathlon.

“We had a good first day,” said BYU women’s track and field head coach Craig Poole. “Our athletes showed some improvement from past meets which will be advantageous going into future meets down the road. I’m looking forward to a successful day tomorrow to finish it off.”

Leading the Cougars, and fourth overall after day one, was sophomore Mindy Robins closing up the day with a final score of 2831 points. Robins placed second in the 100-meter hurdles (14.29) and third in the 200 meter dash (25.41).

“Today I had some solid marks in my events,” said Robins. “I was really happy with how I did. Tomorrow I compete in two of my stronger events so I’m hoping I will be able to pull ahead and improve some of my marks.”

Ranked second for BYU was junior Madara Dzalbe with a first-day score of 2743 points. With a first-place finish in the shot put, Dzalbe tallied a distance of 11.39 meters (37 feet 4.50 inches).

Ada Robinson placed first overall in the high jump recording a height of 1.65 meters (5 feet 5 inches).

Representing the decathlon, freshman Meelis Kosk took an early lead for the BYU men’s team with an opening score of 3677 points at the end of day one. Kosk placed second in the long jump with a personal record of 6.97 meters (22 feet 10.50 inches) and third in the shot put with a distance of 13.11 meters (43 feet 0.25 inches).

Following .in second for the Cougars was freshman Brett Birkeland with 3501 points. Birkeland finished third in the 100-meter dash with a finishing time of 11.25.

Adding another strong mark for BYU, senior Justin Palmer contributed to a second-place finish in the shot put with final distance of 11.93 meters (39 feet 1.75 inches).

“We have good athletes, and I think we can get some qualifying marks,” said BYU men’s track and field head coach Mark Robison. “Today we finished up strong, and I am very pleased with the performances so far.”

The teams will resume competition tomorrow at noon MT beginning with the decathlon. The heptathlon is scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m. MT.

For complete results of the BYU Robison Invitational go to http://www.byutrack.com/various/Special/Meet_Info/2008-9/Robison/index.htm