Athletes from the BYU track and field teams will compete June 5–8 at the 2013 Division I NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Ore.
The men’s team qualified five participants that all look to be very competitive. Coach Mark Robison believes that all five “have a chance” to place in the top eight in their respective events.
Points are awarded to each team with a participant that places in the top eight in an event. The team with the most points at the end of the meet wins the national championship.
BYU will look for Victor Weirich to place high in the pole vault. Weirich tied for first place at the West Regional with a vault of 17-08.50. Weirich, who is making his second appearance at the national championships, placed fourth overall in 2011.
Jared Ward is making his return to the championship meet in the 10,000 meters. Ward placed fifth last year and hopes to duplicate that success. Joining Ward in the 10,000 meters is Tylor Thatcher. Thatcher ran well at the West Regional but will likely have to run his best race ever to place in the top 10.
Ryan Waite is making his third appearance at nationals in the 800 meters and Curtis Carr makes his debut running in the 3,000 meter steeplechase.
“When you get to nationals you better hope to bring your ‘A’ game, because if you don’t you won’t go very far,” men’s head coach Mark Robison said.
The women’s team qualified two athletes in Kelsey Brown and Natalie Stewart.
Brown, who will compete in the 800 meters, enters the competition with the seventh-fastest time among all participants in the event.
“I think we had a real good training session this last week,” women’s head coach Patrick Shane said. “We worked on some tactical and strategy applications. I expect her to have her best race ever.”
Stewart has been peaking of late in the 400 meters and qualified with her personal best time at the West Regional. Shane also expects Stewart to run her best race ever during the meet.
