PROVO -- The BYU men's and women's track teams competed in the Wildcat outdoor open and performed better than expected. Josh Rohatinsky, in his first meet since being hurt, ran a blistering 3:46.59 in the 1500 meters to break the Weber State Unisersity Stewart Stadium record that has been standing since 2001.
"It's been outstanding," said distance coach Ed Eyestone. "Rohatinsky has probably been the highlight of the day. He broke the stadium record in the 1500. It will be one of the leading times in the nation. I'm pretty happy with the results."
Rohatinsky has raced only twice this season and both times he broke the facility record. In March, Rohatinsky ran in the 5000 meters for the first time in the season because of injury. He broke the Albuquerque Convention Center Facility record, and has been building strength since then to get ready for the outdoor season. This was his first outdoor meet that was meant to be a build-up race for next week. Rohatinsky, whose specialty is the 10,000 meters, is now the owner of the WSU Facility record too.
The rest of the Cougars had a great meet as well.
"We've had a very good meet," BYU men's head coach Mark Robison said. "Rohatinsky ran a great race. He was unbelievable. Dustin Lawrensen had a season best and Ammon Dahl matched a lifetime best in the high jump. Stig Roberston came off an injury and ran a lifetime best in the 400 hurdles. It's been a very good meet and the athletes that came back from injury performed at a very good level. And the Texas meet turned very cold today and rainy. The pole vaulters didn't even get to vault because of the weather."
Kyle Perry took fourth place in the 800 meters in a time of 1:55.18. Stig Robertson came in second in the 400-meter hurdles in a time of 52.25 to qualify for regions. Ammon Dahl is now slated to go to the regional meet after his 6 foot 10.75 inches. Dustin Lawrenson improved his region qualifying mark in the discus with a throw of 171 feet 2.25 inches. Chris Carter posted a season best time of 51.17 in the 400 hurdles at the Texas Relays during the preliminaries.
The women's team had athletes surpassing season best marks as well.
"We had some personal bests," BYU women's head coach Craig Poole said "Nicole Nevitt and Mindy Neeley ran the best races of their career. Kelly Furr had the best mark of her career. The 800 meters was a good race for us. So overall we had a good meet."
Neeley posted an 11.87 seconds in the 100 meters, and a 24.16 sec. in the 200 meters. Nevitt ran a 59.89 in the 400-meter hurdles, an improvement on her previously qualifying marks. Jennifer Grossarth, who ran in the Texas Relays, improved her mark in the 400 hurdles with a time of 58.35. Grossarth also has the second fastest time in the 100 meters for the women's team with a time of 12.11. Sarah Lacey took second in the high jump clearing 5 feet 5.25 inches. Kristen Hirst also cleared 5 feet 5.25 inches and came in third place. Kelly Furr cleared 13 feet 1.5 inches, a regional qualifying mark, in the pole vault, surpassing her previous best mark by two inches.
The distance squad ran well at the meet. Most of the distance team ran in shorter events to work on speed.
"It was a good meet for what we wanted," BYU women's distance coach Patrick Shane said. "I was particularly impressed with Stacy Slights 400 and Carlee Clark did really good in the 800. The times weren't particularly fast, but she won and we will get the fast times when we go to Mt. Sac. Suzy Taylor fell and tripped her sister Laura. It was unfortunate but Laura finished and it was a great lesson on how to stay on your feet. "
Slight ran a 56.64 in the 400 meters to place second, and Jenna Lowder finished in 56.81 seconds to take third. Clark ran a 2:10.98 to win the 800 meters. Sandra Mazan, who specializes in the 400 hurdles, took third with her time of 2:13.39. Ann Heiner came in third in the 1500 meters with her time of 4:41.95.
"Tiffany Arrhenius improved her mark in the javelin and Madara Dzalbe had a personal best in the shot," women's throws coach Dick Legas said. "I think we did well and we will continue to get better."
Arrhenius won the javelin with a throw of 151 feet 7 inches, which was an inch improvement on her best marks this season. Dzalbe threw the shot 41 feet and one half inch, almost three inches farther than her season best mark. Tipaleli fotu also set a new season best mark in the hammer throw with her toss of 174 feet 7 inches.