PROVO -- The BYU men's track team was honored with 11 Academic All-American citations from the US Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association, tying Stanford for the most of any team in the nation. The men's team finished with a 3.14 grade point average.
"Obviously we are pleased with the way our team continues to perform in the classroom," BYU men's head coach Mark Robison said. "Academics is very important to us as a coaching staff. Academics is the main reason these guys come to school. We want them to succeed on and off the track because how they do in class sets up their whole future."
The top three high jumpers in the conference this year topped the list for the Cougars. David Pendergrass is a four time MWC Champion in the high jump. Bryce Bergen competed in the NCAA Championships and Ammon Dahl reached the West Region meet this year as a junior. Four members of the distance team were featured on the list. Dustin Bybee, Jason Dorais were lead a talented group of runners all season, while Jacob Crosby and Ryan Merriman came in as freshmen and advanced to the West Region meet in the steeplechase. Nate Rencher won the 110 hurdles at the MWC Championships as well as finishing third in the 400 hurdles. Freshman hurdler and decathlete Lance Walker finished third in his first collegiate decathlon at the MWC Championships. Skylar McDonald came in on his first season with the Cougars and took fifth place in the javelin at the MWC Championships, and advanced to the West Region meet. Whitney Neves won the pole vault at the conference meet his freshman year and advanced to the West Region meet again this year.
Earlier this month, the BYU women's team was honored with 18 citations by the USTFCCCA, the most of any women's team in the nation.
Ammon Dahl High Jump
Bryce Bergen High Jump
David Ryan Pendergrass High Jump
Dustin Bybee 800 meters
Jacob Daniel Crosby 3,000-meter steeplechase
Jason Lawrence Dorais 1500 meter
Lance Alan Walker 400 hurdles, decathlon
Nathan Rencher 110 hurdles, 400 hurdles
Ryan Michael Merriman 3,000-meter steeplechase
Skylar Charles MacDonald Javelin
Whitney Neves Pole Vault