Walker, Yardley and Rockwell take first at New Mexico Classic

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – First-place finishes by Shaquille Walker, Tyrell Yardley and Colter Rockwell were among several highlight performances for BYU track and field at the New Mexico Classic Friday and Saturday.  

“It was an excellent meet,” BYU track head coach Ed Eyestone said. “It was a great opportunity for our athletes to get meet experience. We had some personal bests and consistent performances today.”

Walker’s winning time in the 600 meters was 1:17.32. Walker has placed first in every event he’s raced so far this indoor season. 

Yardley’s time of 47.03 was the fifth-fastest 400-meter time in BYU indoor history. Rockwell finished in 1:53.05 to take top honors in the 800 meters.

Zachary Stetler placed second in the shot put throwing 17.60 meters while Zachary Blackham’s mark of 2.09 meters was good for fourth in the high jump.

In the pole vault, Kyle Brown cleared 5.26 meters to set a new career mark. Brown’s mark was second best of all Division I athletes in the event. Craig Merkley’s throw of 16.94 meters in the weight throw was his career best in the event.

On the women’s side, Alyssa Steed placed fourth in the mile running 5:03.23. Steed’s time was second overall among Division I competitors. In her last event on Saturday, Steed set a personal record in the 800 meters with a time of 2:17.02.

Maria Morley’s time of 10:23.51 placed fifth in the 3000 meters. Bryn Rohner was close behind Morley, finishing seventh in 10:27.24. Morley also ran a career-best mile in 5:09.78.

Dailyn Johnson set a new personal record in the weight throw with a mark of 14.87 meters while Anginae Monteverde continued her successful indoor season clearing 4.01 meters in the pole vault.

BYU track and field will be split next weekend with some athletes returning to New Mexico for the Don Kirby Elite Invitational Feb. 13-14, while others will head to Seattle, Washington, for the Husky Classic Feb. 13-14.