By Kinohi Manning
A powerful showing at the Cal Poly invitational by the BYU women”s track team suggests an even stronger performance as the outdoor season continues.
Cougar athletes recorded four first places finishes including junior Nikki Hughes” first victory for BYU on March 16 in the long jump.
Teammate senior All-American Kristel Berendsen took third and senior M.E. Clayton placed sixth.
In the triple jump, Clayton took second with junior Nikki Hughes in fourth.
BYU senior Analee Carter placed first in the high jump.
On the track, sophomore Nannette Evans won the 1500-meter.
BYU also seized three of the top four places in the 800-meter.
Capturing first was junior All-American Holly Haguewood, sophomore Jamie Philburn followed her in second and freshman Anika Smith took fourth.
BYU”s final first-place victory was senior Vickie Tams-Kern”s win in the 400-meter hurdles.
Other Cougars to place at this weekend”s invitational are junior Cathy Fuailemaa who placed third to Cal Poly”s Kristin Bryden and unattached April Wiechmann.
Fuailemaa also took seventh in the shot put with senior Becky Beachler at second.
New to the BYU field are junior Carry Sanders and freshman Missy Wood who took fourth and fifth respectively in the javelin.
In the 5,000-meter race, Cougars could be found everywhere.
Freshman Amy Bair came in fourth followed by junior Sarah Ellis. Seventh through ninth places were captured by junior Melody Sheppard, junior Marie Hodson and senior Kim Nelson.
In the 100-meter dash, sophomore Misty Jorgenson took fourth and freshman Aubrie Latimore placed sixth.
BYU”s relay teams also performed well.
The 400-meter sprint and 1,600-meter relay teams both took third place.
BYU”s next meet will be March 23-24 at Arizona State”s Baldy Castillo Invitational.
