Women's Track Improves National Ranking

PROVO -- A successful weekend at the Washington Invitational and the Boise State Jackson Invitational propelled the BYU women’s track and field team to a No. 7 ranking in the USTFCCCA weekly poll.

While competing in two different locations, the Cougars came out with impressive performances in several different events. BYU head coach Patrick Shane took the distance squad to Seattle to compete against elite competition, such as No. 1 ranked Oregon, while the sprinters and jumpers competed well in Boise, Idaho.

Leading the team in Washington was junior All-American Lacey Bleazard. Bleazard competed in her main event, the 800-meters, for the first time this season and ran the second-fastest time in the NCAA at 2:05.55. Teammate Katie Palmer came in close behind in 2:05.91, the fifth-fastest time in the NCAA.

Bleazard and Palmer also competed in the distance medley relay, a team that also featured juniors Natalie Stewart and Nicole Clark. The group combined to finish in 11:15.24, the second-fastest time in the country.

In Idaho, sophomore Rachel Fisher continued to impress in the pole vault. Fisher cleared 4.05m (13-3.50), winning the event for the third consecutive meet. Senior Porshe Giddings also continued her own winning streak, taking the 60m (7.64) and 200m (24.23) victories for the third time this season.

The BYU men’s track and field team also managed to stay in the USTFCCCA poll, coming in at No. 18, one spot lower than the team was ranked a week ago.

Both teams will continue the season this week at the annual New York New Balance Invitational, a prestigious meet that will feature the best athletes and teams from across the NCAA.