The Cougars will host their first track and field outdoor meet of the season Saturday against Boise State and one of the top-ranked teams in the nation, University of Southern California.
“It will be one of the best meets we have had in 10 years,” BYU men’s head coach Mark Robison said.
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“We are hoping to get even with them here,” women’s head coach Patrick Shane said.
Other than a handful of distance runners competing at the Stanford meet Friday and Saturday, BYU is keeping the strength of the team home to compete against these two competitive teams.
“We have the very best people in the power events,” Shane said. “It is going to be an exciting meet.”
The Cougars’ front lines will be strong with Miles Batty, last season All-American in the 1,500 meters; Victor Weirich third in the nation in pole vault; Kevin Nielsen ninth in the decathlon; Ryan Waite 10th in the 800 meters; Chris Carter eighth in the 400 meter hurdles; Allyson Anderson sixth in javelin and Christen Guenther sixth in the NCAA pole vault.
However, this meet will not go without a fight. USC is bringing many top-ranked athletes in various events, including the top ranked team in the 4X400 meter relay, a top runner in the 400 meter dash and other top-10 athletes in various events such as the hammer throw and 200 meter dash.
The meet will begin at 11 a.m. with the women’s pole vault. The running events will begin at 1 p.m. with the women’s 3,000 steeplechase and end the meet at 3:30 p.m. with the men’s 4X400 meter relay.
After many weeks traveling to different invitationals and championships, the Cougars are excited to compete with some of the best runners in the nation at home, in Provo.
“We are excited to go to battle on Saturday,” Shane said.
