Cougars take 8th overall at NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — BYU women's track and field finished eighth overall at the 2022 NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships behind a runner-up finish by Claire Seymour in the 800-meter at the Birmingham CrossPlex on Saturday.

Seymour took her No. 1 qualifying time into the 800m final, finishing second just behind Virginia Tech’s Lindsey Butler (2:01.37) with a personal-best time of 2:01.96.

"She prepared herself well, "BYU Director of Track and Field Ed Eyestone said of Seymour. "She didn't care what she was ranked coming in, she knew it was all about her performance on the day of the meet. She showed great poise, confidence and determination. She ran a controlled effort that put her in good position. What an amazing evening for Claire Seymour!"

The time further solidified Seymour’s No. 2 mark in program history, inching closer to Shea Collinsworth's school record time of 2:01.42, and also earned the junior first-team All-America status.

Cierra Tidwell Allphin represented BYU in the high jump. The sophomore tied for eighth with a mark of 1.78m/5-10, to also earn All-America First Team honors.

Coming off a national title in the 5000m a night ago, Courtney Wayment finished fifth in the 3000m after clocking a 9:01.77 to also be named a first-team All-American in that event.

"She had the determination last night to hold them off and win," Eyestone said. "Tonight, she probably could’ve run a safer race, but put herself in a position where she wanted to win it. She was in a great position, but just ran out of gas late due to the fatigue from last night’s 5000m race. That 5000 and 3000 combination is almost impossible. I’m very proud of her."

As a team, the Cougars totaled 26.2 points to earn an eighth-place finish overall, just ahead of ninth-place NC State with 25 points and behind Virginia Tech and Ole Miss at 29 points, who tied for sixth.

"I am so proud of and thankful for the efforts each of our coaches undertake to prepare these athletes to be successful at the highest levels of competition," Eyestone said.

With the indoor season wrapped up, BYU shifts its focus to the outdoor season, which will kick off next week at the Trojan Invitational hosted by USC on Friday and Saturday, March 18-19. 

"Our women are still in contention for program of the year," Eyestone said. "They're set up very well to be successful during the outdoor season. We're very excited for our prospects there."