Men's Team Sets 'Phenomenal' Marks at New York Meet

NEW YORK -- The BYU men's track team experience a near-perfect day at the New Balance Invitational in New York City on Friday, setting numerous lifetime bests.

"I think this is the best we have ever done here," said men's track coach Mark Robison. "Sometimes there are struggles with the distance we have to travel and other things, but today we did very well."

Aaron Powell submitted what Robison labeled "the best performance of the day" in the long jump. Powell leaped 7.21m, setting a lifetime best and placing third overall.

"Powell was incredible," Robison said. "He looked fabulous on his jump."

Rhyan Atrice finished in the top spot in the 200m dash championship, also setting a career-best of 22.03.

"Rhyan had a great day," Robison said. "He ran very, very well."

Having already set provisional qualifying marks in the shot put, Leif Arrhenius had another huge day in the shot put competition, setting a lifetime best with a throw of 18.35m, all but punching the junior's ticket to nationals.

Daniel Lawson also finished in the top five of the shot put with a throw of 17.63m.

Trevor Heiner finished third in the high jump, going up 2.04m while Tanner Emrich placed fifth in the 60m hurdles, finishing in 8.36. Bryan Payne was close behind Emrich with a mark of 8.56.

Competition for the Cougars resumes on Saturday starting at 10 a.m.