SEATTLE – Over 40 season bests and one new school record were set for BYU track and field in Seattle, Washington, during the MPSF Championships Friday and Saturday.
“I think it was an awesome couple days for us,” BYU head track and field coach Ed Eyestone said. “When you have over 40 people running their best, throwing their farthest and jumping their highest the last indoor meet of the year, you know it’s been a very good meet for you.”
The BYU men placed fifth in the conference with three first-place finishes, while the women placed 10th.
Shaquille Walker remained undefeated in his race events this season winning the 800 meters in 1:48.53. Walker currently holds the 10th fastest 800-meter time in the nation this season and will likely compete at the 2015 Indoor Championships.
“I was really excited for Shaq Walker,” Eyestone said. “This is arguably one of the strongest middle distance conferences in the country.”
Tyrell Yardley also took home victory in the 400 meters with a time of 47.30. Yardley’s win was the second time he’s placed first in the event this season.
Korey Smith, Sean Adams, Yardley and Walker combined to place first overall and set a new school record in the 4x400-meter relay in 3:07.66.
Tatenda Tsumba placed fourth in the 200 meters in 21.50. Tsumba’s time was the fastest time for a BYU sprinter in the event all season and is good for 10th all-time for BYU.
Kyle Brown also placed high for BYU finishing third in the pole vault clearing 5.18 meters.
On the women’s side, Anginae Monteverde placed second in the pole vault matching a career-best by clearing 4.27 meters.
“Anginae was certainly a highlight of the meet. That was a big-time performance on her part,” Eyestone said.
Shea Martinez finished third in the 800 meters with a time of 2:05.94. Martinez was also the anchor on the fifth-place 4x400-meter relay team running a 53.9 split. Martinez currently holds the 11th fastest time in the nation in the 800 meters and will likely join Walker in competing at nationals.
With 3880 points, Nicole Laws placed fourth in the pentathlon. Laws’ performance is good for No. 8 all-time for BYU in the pentathlon.
Makenna Smith placed sixth and set the seventh fastest time in school history in the 3000 meters with a time of 9:19.85. In the same event, Jennica Redd placed 13th and set a personal record finishing in 9:34.88.
Maria Morley ran the second fastest mile for a BYU woman all season with a time of 4:53.92.
Full results from the MPSF Championships can be found at GoHuskies.com.
Next up is the NCAA Indoor Championships March 13-14 in Fayetteville Arkansas.