SEATTLE, Wash. – Jared Ward set a BYU record with a time of 13:41.97 in the 5,000-meter run, taking eighth place Friday night at the Husky Classic in Seattle.
"The 5,000 meters was really the story of the day for us," distance coach Ed Eyestone said. "Ward and (Tylor) Thatcher both moved into the top 16 in the nation with that which could qualify them for nationals, so that's a great night for them."
Thatcher took 12th overall and claimed his own spot in the BYU record books, finishing in 13:45.43, good for second all-time.
"I'm happy with how I've been performing, but it means even more to me to be a part of such an amazing team," Ward said. "It's fun to think we have a shot at putting two runners in nationals in this event when they only take 16 guys."
The Cougars also had two athletes finish in the top 10 of the 200-meter dash. Jason Hinds took fourth place overall in 22.04 and Cade Lindahl took eighth place in 22.19.
Competition will continue through Saturday at the Husky Classic. BYU also has a group of athletes that will compete in the Air Force Team Challenge on Saturday in Colorado Springs, Colo. A recap of Saturday's events will be posted on the BYU men's track and field home page as soon as competition ends.