BYU track and field look to kick off the 2019 season with home opener

PROVO, Utah – The BYU men’s and women’s track and field teams will kick off the 2019 indoor season with their home opener on Thursday, Dec. 13, at the Smith Fieldhouse. Events will go through Friday, Dec. 14.

The two-day December Invite will feature athletes from BYU, Westminster, Utah Valley University and Weber State.

Following a successful cross country season, the BYU track and field team is hoping for a strong start to the upcoming indoor season. BYU coach Ed Eyestone is looking forward to the opportunity to see the athletes in action after fall conditioning. The Cougars will be competing both in uniform and unattached.

“I’m very excited for this week because it’s our first indoor meet of the season,” Eyestone said. “We have all of our very talented track and field athletes who have been working hard throughout fall conditioning. They are excited to see what results will come from all their training.”

Eyestone looks forward to seeing senior Andrea Stapleton-Johnson compete in the high jump after a successful 2018 season. Stapleton-Johnson received second-team All-America honors for the 2018 indoor season after placing 15th overall in the high jump at the NCAA Indoor Championships (1.76m/5-9.25). She was named a first-team All-American following her eighth-place finish overall in the high jump at the NCAA Outdoor Championships (1.78m/5-10).

Freshmen Jaslyn Gardner is an athlete to watch in her collegiate career debut. Gardner was a 10-time UHSAA 2A state champion in the 100m, 200m and long jump and holds the 2A long jump record (19-2.25).

Junior Talem Franco is one athlete that Eyestone feels will excel in this week’s competition. In last year’s outdoor season, he clocked a personal record of 3:44.90 in the 1500m quarterfinal at the NCAA West Preliminaries, finishing just one spot out from qualifying for Nationals.

Following a good outing earlier this month, senior Jacob Foutz is an athlete that Eyestone anticipates will have another strong performance in the weight throw. Foutz ranks No. 10 on BYU’s indoor record board in the weight throw after a new personal record of 19.36m/63-6.25.

This meet gives all the athletes the chance to compete in their respected events while hopefully working towards earning one of the spots on the traveling teams.

“This is a great opportunity for us as coaches to see where they’re at in a low-key setting here at home,” Eyestone said. “These first home meets that we have set the tone for them in terms of traveling and potential opportunities to compete, so they want to do their best.”

For a full schedule of events at the December Invite click here. Follow BYU track and field on Twitter @BYUTFXC for updates and click here for live stats.