MPSF Championships last chance to qualify for nationals

PROVO, Utah—This weekend the BYU women's track and field will compete in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championships for one last chance to qualify for indoor nationals.

“It’s our last indoor meet of the season and we have some big goals going into that," BYU head coach Ed Eyestone said. "It’s the last chance to get people qualified for going into the NCAA meet. We have three or four athletes on the women’s side where if they have their season best performances, they could really move into good position. We’re just hoping for the best and the athletes realize what’s at stake and they’re focused and ready to roll."

The University of Washington hosts the meet for the 24^th year in a row. There will be 19 universities competing in the meet from the Pac-12, Big West, and West Coast Conference, with 19 women’s teams and 14 men’s teams.

Coach Eyestone said they have asked two-thirds of the team, 36 of the 57 athletes competing, to achieve seasonal best marks at the upcoming meet.

“We’re at the end of our year where we should be at our most tapered, most fit, and we're facing some of the best competition we’re going to have all year on a really fast track,” said Eyestone.

Female athletes to watch include Shea Martinez-Collinsworth, Alyssa Monteverde-Dalton and Anginae Monteverde. These athletes are all within a few spots of the top 16 to qualify for nationals.

Martinez-Collinsworth is ranked 17th in the nation, running 2:04.52 in the 800m at the Texas A&M Team Invitational.

Monteverde-Dalton ran a personal best of 8.25 in the 60m hurdles two weeks ago at the Iowa State Classic, which moved her to No. 19 in the nation.

Monteverde marked 4.20 in the pole vault three weeks ago at the New Mexico Classic for No. 21 in the nation.  

In addition to these individual athletes, the women’s distance medley relay team also has a good chance at qualifying for the national meet.

The meet begins on Friday at 12:00 p.m. PST. For live results and live video streaming, visit the BYU women's track and field page.