PROVO -- The BYU men's and women's track teams head to Fort Collins, Colo. hoping to capture yet another conference title when they compete in the 2005 Mountain West Conference Championships this Wednesday through Saturday.
With nine out of a possible 10 MWC outdoor track and field titles between the two teams, the Cougars are the favorites during the four-day competition, but should see stiff competition from Wyoming, Air Force and Colorado State.
The BYU women's team is currently ranked No. 19 in the nation, followed by conference foes Wyoming and Air Force at No. 25. The men's team on the other hand is ranked No. 21.
The Cougars have received more than 50 NCAA Regional qualifying marks during the outdoor season, including 16 athletes with top-20 national marks.
Those from the men's team with top-20 national marks include Bryan Lindsay (1,500m), Josh McAdams (3,000m steeplechase), Josh Rohatinsky (10,000m), Ben Gardner and Jake Garlick (400m hurdles), Bryce Bergen (high jump), Robbie Pratt and Trent Powell (pole vault) and Rodrigo Mendes (triple jump) with the top mark in the nation.
From the women's team Heidi Magill and Aneta Lemeisz (800m), Rena Chesser 5,000m), Chelsea Smith (10,000m), Lindsey Metcalf (high jump), Julene Kaufusi (pole vault), and Amy Menlove (long jump, heptathlon) have all earned top-20 national marks.
In addition to these top performers, the Cougars have four athletes who rank No. 1 in the conference. David Chesser (400m), Jason Dorais (800m), Leif Arrhenius (discus) and Kamila Rywelska are tops in the conference, but not on the top-20 national list.
Competition is set to begin Wednesday at noon with the first day of multi-event competition. Thursday is the second day of multi-events. The majority of the action gets underway Friday with the women's hammer throw at 10 a.m. The qualifying track events begin at 1:30 p.m.
Competition resumes Saturday with the finals in the running events. The last event, the 4x400 relay, is set to begin at 3:30 p.m. followed by the awards ceremony.
Daily recaps will be posted on www.byucougars.com at the conclusion of competition each day.