PROVO -- A total of 22 athletes from BYU will compete in 16 different events at the 2003 NCAA Track & Field Championships, beginning June 11-14 in Sacramento, Calif.
On the men's side, the Cougars will send one of its largest contingents in nearly 20 years, and will look for its highest overall team finish since 1991. Overall, 13 athletes will be competing in a total of nine different events, and according to head men's coach, Mark Robison, the Cougars have a legitimate shot at a top-10 finish.
"With a little luck, we think we can score around 20-25 points and be a top-10 finisher," Robison said. "If we can get in the 20s, I think we have a pretty good shot. At the national meet, you have to be good, and you have to be lucky."
The Cougars finished fourth in 1991 at the National Championships, but have been unable to crack the top-10 ever since. In 1999, BYU came close with a 12th-place finish in Boise, fueled by Leonard Miles-Mills' 100-meter championship performance.
"In the past few years, we have qualified maybe five or six guys for nationals," Robison added. "This may be the second largest group we've taken in the past 20 years. I'm very pleased with how well the guys have done, especially at the MWC Championships and at the West Regional. We expect a lot from these guys, and they have shown great toughness and a desire to get better. I'm really excited about our opportunities in Sacramento. I just feel like, with the guys we have going, we can have one heck of a showing."
Freshman pole vaulter Robison Pratt will enter the national championships as the top-ranked vaulter in the country. Pratt, who competed for his home nation of Mexico in the 2000 Olympic Games, set a BYU record at the West Regionals and claimed the top NCAA mark this season with clearance of 18-feet-03. Pratt recently returned from a two-year Church mission in Mexico, and has been battling to return to top, competitive condition ever since.
"It takes Pratt several days to recoup after a competition," Robison said. "He has been home from his mission for just over six months, and is still working to get in shape. When he gets faster and stronger, and develops his technique, he'll be incredible. He's already using such long, big poles; we had to buy all new equipment just for him.
"Not only will he have a good shot at becoming a world-class vaulter over the next few years, Robison has a legitimate shot at becoming a four-year NCAA champion. To be just a freshman and have a shot now, that's incredible. You could coach for 40 years and not have a kid like Robison come through your program."
Another Cougar expected to challenge for a national title is sophomore distance runner Kip Kangogo. Kangogo, a native of Kabarnet, Kenya, will enter the 1,500 meters with the top qualifying time in the country (3:41.39).
A relative newcomer to the sport, Kangogo, who has been competing for just over three years, had a wake-up call at the West Regionals. As the favorite to win the competition, Kangogo made a few strategic errors and failed to advance past the qualifying round.
"I can tell you this, Kip won't make the same mistakes twice," Robison said. "So, I'm not concerned about Kip's performance at regionals. He's a gammer, and is very, very competitive. Failing to qualify for the finals probably did him a world of good. He's planning to go out there and be very aggressive."
Kangogo will be joined in the 1,500 meters by teammate sophomore Nathan Robison. The son of head coach Mark Robison, and grandson of 1948 Olympian and long-time BYU coach Clarence Robison, Nathan is currently ranked 25th in the field with a qualifying time of 4:43.90.
Senior Aron Szmuda is currently ranked 16th in the triple jump, and according to Robison, also has a shot at qualifying for the finals.
"Aron is one of those guys who has a lot of experience," Robison said. "He has the ability to place, and challenge for one of the top spots in the field. Having competed at this meet last season, he has the experience, and isn't going to be as nervous as some of the younger guys. Hopefully that advantage will help him out."
Other BYU qualifiers in the men's competition include sophomore Matt Adams in the steeplechase (8:47.75), junior Greg Flint in the 400-meter hurdles (49.92), sophomore Trent Powell in the pole vault (5.40m), junior Curtis Pugsley in the decathlon (7,249 pts.), junior Chad Simkins in the 800 meters (1:49.84), and the 4x100-meter relay team of Cody Fonnesbeck, Nate Soleberg, Paul Smith and Matt Nielsen.
In the women's field, BYU will send nine athletes who will compete in seven different events. Three athletes alone will be competing in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, led by All-American and Provo native Kassi Andersen.
At the West Regionals, Andersen recorded the second fastest time in the world, completing the course in 9:48.57. Since mid-April, Andersen has continued to shave precious seconds from her time. At the Mt. SAC Relays on April 19, Andersen ran a 10:05.73. Three weeks later, at the BYU Invitational, Andersen clipped the 10-minute mark, winning the race in a time of 9:58.57. Her time at the West Regionals shaved another 10 seconds from her time, improving to 9:48.57.
"She just keeps getting better and better," said distance coach Patrick Shane. "She's just been terrific. But, she is still learning. She has a lot to learn about the event. The good news is that she's off to a pretty good start."
Andersen will be joined by teammates Lisa Antonelli (10:18.78), who automatically qualified at the West Regionals, along with senior Nan Kennard (10:31.12).
Other BYU qualifiers in the women's competition include senior Jaime Cottle in the 1,500 meters (4:23.28), junior Aneta Lemiesz in the 800 meters (2:05.30), senior Katie Martin in the 5,000 meters (16:42.80), sophomore Lindsey Metcalf in the high jump (1.76m), Kristen Ogden in the 10,000 meters (33:35.83) and junior Missy Wood in the javelin (48.77m)