Women Prepared for Nationals

PROVO, Utah -- Six athletes from the BYU women’s track and field team will head to the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Des Moines, Iowa to compete against the best track athletes in the nation.

"These athletes are prepared for this meet mentally, physically and emotionally," head coach Patrick Shane said. "We have been working towards this weekend all season and we are ready to go out and compete."

Lacey Bleazard and Ada Robinson highlight the BYU qualifiers headed for Des Moines. Bleazard won her second career National Championships in the 800 meters during the 2011 indoor season while Robinson earned 2011 indoor All-American honors in the high jump.

Teaming with Robinson in the high jump is junior Diana Blauer. Blauer competed at the NCAA Indoor Championships and earned Second Team All-American honors. Katie Palmer will join Bleazard in the 800 meters.

Senior Porshe Giddings will represent the Cougars in the 100-meter dash and is the first BYU women’s athlete to compete in the event at Nationals since Windy Jorgensen in 1998.

"Porshe has been running better and better each week," Shane said. "She ran near her personal best in the cold at the NCAA Region meet so she has the potential to do very well here with some warm weather."

Competing in the longest race of the meet is BYU junior Morgan Haws. Haws, a transfer from Weber State, will run the 10000 meters on Wednesday.

BYU will look to improve upon its 15th place finish at the NCAA Indoor Championships earlier this season. The Cougars have not placed higher than 15th since 2005, when the team finished 10th.

NCAA Championship Schedule

Name Event Prelims Final

Diana Blauer High Jump N/A Thurs., 4:30 p.m.

Lacey Bleazard 800 Meters Wed., 5:00 p.m. Fri., 6:10 p.m.

Porshe Giddings 100 Meters Wed., 6:15 p.m. Fri., 5:55 p.m.

Morgan Haws 10000 Meters N/A Wed., 7:45 p.m.

Katie Palmer 800 Meters Wed., 5:00 p.m. Fri., 6:10 p.m.

Ada Robinson High Jump N/A Thurs., 4:30 p.m.

All Times Mountain.