BYU track and field made progress in reaching its regional goals at the BYU Cougar Invitational May 1 at BYU’s Clarence F. Robison Track Complex.
'Good things happen at home,' said BYU head coach Ed Eyestone, after his team finished the meet that included athletes from Boise State, Weber State, Idaho State, Utah Valley and Westminster.
Angela Shields participates in the 400 hurdles at the Robison Invitational. (Photo courtesy BYU photo)
With a goal of sending 50 runners to regionals, Eyestone said he believed the meet brought BYU’s total of regional qualifiers to more than 40. Among the athletes who gave themselves a good shot at qualifying for regionals for the first time were Chase Horrocks and Evan Argyle, who finished first and second in the mile, with times of 4:10.10 and 4:10.88.
'My gut feeling is that both of their times will get them qualified for the regionals,” Eyestone said.
Eyestone highlighted a couple other athletes on the men’s side who performed well at the meet.
“Dakoda John had a great outing on the high jump, and Korey Smith improved a half second in the 400 hurdles as well.'
John won the high jump with a mark of 6 feet and 9 inches. Smith jumped to eleventh nationally with his 400 hurdles time of 51.26.
Recently, BYU men's track and field moved up to No. 6 in the USTFCCA NCAA Division I Rankings. Its performance at the Robison Invitational bodes well for future meets as well as regionals.
On the women’s side, junior Angela Shields’ performed in the 400 hurdles, with Eyestone stating that, 'Angela Shields had a good time that we believe will qualify her for regionals as well.' Shields finished with a time of 1:01.11 in the event.
The men’s and women’s teams will next compete May 7 in the Weber Twilight Meet in Ogden.