BYU Track and Field Announces 11th Annual Curtis Pugsley Awards Banquet

Author Mayci Taylor
BYU Track and Field Announces 11th Annual Curtis Pugsley Awards BanquetBYU Track and Field Announces 11th Annual Curtis Pugsley Awards Banquet

PROVO, Utah – BYU track and field will hold its 11th Annual Curtis Pugsley Awards Banquet on Oct. 17 at the Hinckley Alumni Center. 

The Curtis Pugsley Award is BYU track and field’s highest recognition and is given every year to one athlete from each of BYU’s men’s and women’s teams.

The honor is given based on personal performance during the previous season. The award is named for former BYU track and field athlete Curtis Pugsley (2000-2004), who passed away in 2013 after a battle with cancer. During his time at BYU, Pugsley earned multiple All-American honors and won a conference championship in the decathlon.

Other awards to be presented include honors to both male and female athletes for outstanding performances on the track and in field events, along with recognition for the most inspirational athletes and top freshmen performers. 

 

"Our 2023 season was outstanding on so many levels, highlighted by the men's team receiving the National Program of Year award. Additionally, we had an individual national champion and many All-America honors. The Curtis Pugsley Award is the Heisman Trophy of BYU track and field. We have many amazing men and women candidates and look forward to a great night."

Ed EyestoneHead Coach

The Curtis Pugsley Awards Banquet has traditionally been an exclusive event for the team and coaches to recognize achievements of the athletes from the previous season. This year the event will collaborate with the Track and Field Alumni Association as alumni are invited to participate and join in on the celebration.

The program looks forward to connecting Cougars from all years and celebrating past and present success of BYU track and field. 

2023 Puglsey Award Nominees

Male

Casey Clinger

  • No. 1 all-time at BYU in the 3,000-meters running 7:43.96
  • Third place finish in the 10,000-meters at the NCAA outdoor championships
  • Two-time First-Team All-American at the 2023 NCAA indoor championships placing second in the 5,000-meters and fourth in the 3,000-meters 

Kenneth Rooks

  • U.S.A champion in the 3,000-meter steeplechase    
  • NCAA outdoor champion in the steeplechase 
  • No. 1 all-time at BYU in the steeplechase running 8:16.78

Caleb Witsken 

  • No. 2 all-time at BYU in the pole vault (5.60m/18-4.5)
  • Placed sixth at the NCAA outdoor championships in the pole vault
  • Sixth place finish at the NCAA indoor championships   
22-23TRK NCAA Outdoor Championships 033722-23TRK NCAA Outdoor Championships 0119 22-23TRK NCAA Outdoor Championships BYU Athletes compete at the NCAA Track and Field Outdoor Championships in Mike A. Myers Stadium at the University of Texas at Austin. June 7, 2023 Photo by Joey Garrison/BYU photo.byu.edu
22-23TRK NCAA Outdoor Championships 025422-23TRK NCAA Outdoor Championships 0119 22-23TRK NCAA Outdoor Championships BYU Athletes compete at the NCAA Track and Field Outdoor Championships in Mike A. Myers Stadium at the University of Texas at Austin. June 7, 2023 Photo by Joey Garrison/BYU photo.byu.edu
22-23TRK NCAA Outdoor Championships 029122-23TRK NCAA Outdoor Championships 0119 22-23TRK NCAA Outdoor Championships BYU Athletes compete at the NCAA Track and Field Outdoor Championships in Mike A. Myers Stadium at the University of Texas at Austin. June 7, 2023 Photo by Joey Garrison/BYU photo.byu.edu

Female

Cierra Tidwell-Allphin

  • Ranked No. 2 all-time at BYU in the outdoor high jump at 1.88m/6-2
  • Placed seventh at the NCAA outdoor championships
  • Eighth-place finish at the NCAA indoor championships

Lexy Halladay-Lowry

  • Placed eighth at the U.S.A. outdoor championships in the 3,000-meter steeplechase 
  • Placed fourth at the NCAA outdoor championships
  • Ranked No. 2 all-time at BYU in the steeplechase running 9:31.39

Claire Seymour   

  • Ranked No. 1 all-time at BYU in the women's outdoor 800-meters with a time of 2:00.04 set at the Bryan Clay Invitational in 2023
  • Third-place finish at the NCAA outdoor championships in the 800m
  • Placed fourth at the NCAA indoor championships in the 800m
22-23TRK NCAA Outdoor Championships 095722-23TRK NCAA Outdoor Championships 0957 22-23TRK NCAA Outdoor Championships BYU Athletes compete at the NCAA Track and Field Outdoor Championships in Mike A. Myers Stadium at the University of Texas at Austin. June 10, 2023 Photo by Joey Garrison/BYU photo.byu.edu
22-23TRK NCAA Outdoor Championships 1008-222-23TRK NCAA Outdoor Championships 1008 22-23TRK NCAA Outdoor Championships BYU Athletes compete at the NCAA Track and Field Outdoor Championships in Mike A. Myers Stadium at the University of Texas at Austin. June 10, 2023 Photo by Joey Garrison/BYU photo.byu.edu
22-23TRK NCAA Outdoor Championships 107622-23TRK NCAA Outdoor Championships 1076 22-23TRK NCAA Outdoor Championships BYU Athletes compete at the NCAA Track and Field Outdoor Championships in Mike A. Myers Stadium at the University of Texas at Austin. June 10, 2023 Photo by Joey Garrison/BYU photo.byu.edu