SACRAMENTO -- BYU had another NCAA Outdoor champion crowned, Niklas Arrhenius won the Discus throw to finish a talented career at BYU. The women's team had two women place fifth scoring seven points. At the end of three days, the men's team had 11 points for 12th place, and the women had 10 points for 12th place.
"I don't know right know how many All-Americans we have. It could be five and we have another Champion, which makes it one each year for the last three years. That was pretty good. We didn't place as high as we had hoped, but I am very happy for Niklas Arrhenius. We hope we finish in the top twenty but it is better than indoors."
Discus
Niklas Arrhenius came in with the second best throw in the field and the West Region Champion. He got a good opening throw off that went 197 feet 1 inch that put him in fourth place. He stayed in fourth through the first round and headed to the final knowing he had to throw over 203 feet 8 inches to beat Stanford's Micheal Robertson, who had made that throw in the second round. After a couple long fouls, Arrhenius let loose a big throw, 206 feet 2 inches. No one else had a throw over 198 feet.
"It felt like regionals. I have a problem with getting too tense in the very beginning. My first throw was nice and easy, 60 meters, I thought that would give me three more throws. It just took me some time. I got into kind of a rut with bad technique, I was just trying to kill it too much. I kind of eased up, fourth round felt alright. I knew that I could do some more. Fifth round was the one I hit. At regionals it was the fourth one, so about the same thing, it just takes me some time to get going. As soon as I hit that one, I thought it was good, but you never know. You sit there and you watch, you wait and watch, and then it was like 'I got the through that I wanted."
High Jump
In the men's high jump final, David Pendergrass cleared the opening height of 6 feet 10.75 inches on his first attempt. He also cleared his second height of 7 feet 0.25 inches on the first attempt. He had a third consecutive first attempt clearance at the 7 feet 1.5 inch height. He was not able to clear the next height of 7 feet 2.5 inches. He tied for ninth in the NCAA Championships.
"I am happy to be hear, and I did well," said Pendergrass. "I jumped 10 or 12 inches over my head. I have to be pleased with that. This was the place to be, it was hot and I felt good. I jumped better today than I did in the prelims. I am glad I could compete."
Men's Pole Vault
Matt Weirich
"It felt god on the first bar, and I cleared the second bar," said Weirich. "Then I changed poles and the wind changed and mentally I lost it. It was a good run and I did well. This gives me a lot to look forward to for next year."
The women had a good push from Kassi Andersen and Ashley McAllister for seven more points to improve their team position to 12th after three days.
"Our kids did a good job and we are very proud of them," BYU women's head coach said. "We scored ten points. We had hopes of doing more, but the competition here is very good. It's been a good meet."
Women's Pole Vault
Ashley McAllister came into the meet ranked 15th in the pole vault and rose to the challenge. She cleared the first height on the first attempt. Then she cleared the second height on the first attempt. She was not able to clear the third height but tied for fifth and established herself as an All-American.
"I feel like I have control of the event now," McAllister said. "Before this season I thought it was a lucky sport and I happen to be lucky. I had to just hope I had the right pole and the standards were right. Today I knew I could clear it and I was in control. I had a blast. Today was fun."
Men's 3,000-meter steeplechase
Chandler Goodwin ran 8:45.62 in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. The field ran at a quick pace for most of the race and after running a personal best time in the prelims of 8:41.76, he wasn't able to keep up with the leaders. Goodwin ran with the leaders through the first three laps, but wasn't able to hold on. He had a good kick and beat three people in the last two hundred meters to finish 12th. Goodwin has followed in Joshua McAdams footsteps. Both made the Championships their sophomore seasons, and the finals their junior years. Goodwin is looking to finish his career at BYU in similar fashion as McAdams.
"We went out really fast and I slowed it down a little after a couple laps. I didn't feel my best and my legs have been really zapped this week, but it was a step in the right direction. I feel really good about this year and I'm excited for my senior season.
Women's 3,000 meter steeplechase
Andersen and Amy Fowler were in the finals of the women's steeplechase. Andersen looked strong as she finished fifth in a season-best time of 9:52.10. She started in a pack but moved into the fifth spot two laps into the race. On the next lap, she moved into the fourth spot and then into third on the fourth. She held the third place until the last three hundred yards, when two other runners pushed past. This race featured a strong field and resulted in the second fastest time every by an American women. Amy had a personal record in the prelims Wednesday and didn't run at full strength in the race. She finished 13th in 10:22.75.
"It's bitter sweet. I felt good for most of the race and it was a good time, but I am not in the shape I would like to be. I've raced four times this year and had personal records every time. I really think I'm moving along and hopefully I will do even better in two weeks at the USA Championships. I feel good and it's good to be back at this meet."