BOSTON — BYU track and field wrapped up competition at the 2024 Indoor Track and Field National Championships Saturday night, headlined by third place performances from Meghan Hunter and Lucas Bons while women's track and field placed seventh overall.
Cougars Wrap Up Final Day of Indoor Nationals
Meghan Hunter and Lucas Bons each took third in their respective events (800-meter and mile) on day two of the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships.
The program had a total of nine First Team All-Americans and nine Cougars with Second Team All-American honors with one Second Team All American Honorable Mention across the two days of competition.
"Obviously, we came here knowing we could do some great stuff on the women's side," said director of track and field Ed Eyestone. "To finish seventh as a team is a testament to the women's squad. Winning the women's distance medley relay is a huge accomplishment and helps solidify us as the distance powerhouse we are. I'm proud of contribution of all the athletes through the weekend."
| Name | Distinction | Event |
| Lucas Bons | First Team | Men's Mile |
| Aidan Troutner | Second Team | Men's Mile |
| Carmen Alder | Second Team | Women's Mile |
| Meghan Hunter | First Team | Women's 800m |
| Lexy Halladay-Lowry | First Team | Women's 5000m |
| Lexy Halladay-Lowry | First Team | Women's 3000m |
| Jenna Hutchins | Second Team | Women's 5000m |
| Aubrey Frentheway | Second Team | Women's 5000m |
| Riley Chamberlain | First Team | Women's DMR |
| Riley Chamberlain | First Team | Women's 3000m |
| Carlee Hansen | First Team | Women's DMR |
| Sami Oblad | First Team | Women's DMR |
| Sadie Sargent | First Team | Women's DMR |
| Sadie Sargent | Second Team | Women's 3000m |
| Cierra Tidwell Allphin | Second Team Honorable Mention | Women's High Jump |
| Eli Hazlett | Second Team | Men's 4x400m Relay |
| Trey Jackson | Second Team | Men's 4x400m Relay |
| Abram Schaap | Second Team | Men's 4x400m Relay |
| Josh Taylor | Second Team | Men's 4x400m Relay |
Lucas Bons placed third in the final heat of the men's mile with a time of 4:02.02. Through a contentious eight laps, Bons powered through to the finish after getting contacted by other athletes. The junior from Dublin, Ohio was disqualified after the completion of the race due to stepping outside the track during the scuffle. Upon protest by BYU, the disqualification was removed and Bons was awarded third place.
"I think Bons ran a very intelligent race," said Eyestone. "He was very strategic. He was intelligent and made a powerful move at the end to finish in third. Let's remember that two years ago he was pretty much sidelined with health concerns during the pandemic. I think this is a continuation of his strength that he showed in the cross country season. Now he's one of the top milers in the country. I think it sets the stage for an amazing outdoor season and that will culminate in another All American distinction in 1500m and set him up for the Olympic Trials."
Meghan Hunter took third in the final heat of the women's 800m, surging from the middle of the pack to cross the line at 2:02.15. The performance earned Hunter a new personal best in the event, improving her No. 3 spot on the BYU top-10 board by two hundredths of a second.
"I was so excited to have made the final, and wanted to keep that energy going into it," said Hunter. "I'm feeling so grateful."
The women's 3000m saw Lexy Halladay-Lowry take fourth overall in the 3000m, running 8:53.08 across the line. Riley Chamberlain took sixth with a time of 8:56.89 while Sadie Sargent finished at ninth in 9:02.9.
The men's 4x400m Relay team combined to finish in 3:05.56. Cierra Tidwell Allphin also competed in the women's high jump.
Additional Quotes
Senior Associate Athletic Director/S.W.A Liz Darger
"We had a fantastic experience at nationals that included All-Americans, podium finishes and of course the national championship in the women’s distance medley relay. The competition was fierce and the atmosphere was electric. Through it all our student-athletes represented BYU and the Big 12 remarkably well in how they competed, and how they interacted with others. They gave Cougar Nation a lot of reasons to celebrate this weekend."
Josh Taylor - 4x400m Relay
"It was an honor to run in such a competitive meet. Although we feel there is more we could have done, today was a step up in our progression. We have a team of competitors and we'll be back at it ready to improve upon what we've done."
Sprints/Hurdles Coach Kyle Grossarth
"I'm really proud of the 4x400m guys today. To walk away from the indoor season as Second Team All-Americans is a great accomplishment. This should really set them up well for some great things outdoor."
Associate Director of Track and Field Diljeet Taylor
"There was a group of women when I first started in 2016 that believed. Because of them, success breeds success. These women are believers and I believe in them."
Assistant Men's Distance Coach Ryan Waite
"We're so proud of Lucas. He's had a long road to get to this point. As a freshman, he established himself as one of the top milers in the country, but has had to fight through some health struggles the last couple of years. Now he's better than ever. He ran such a smart tactical race, running as little distance as possible. It was a little stressful for him to be boxed in that way, but he stayed composed and patient in order to make his move with 50m to go and finish in third."
Up Next
The Cougars will prepare to compete at Arizona's Spring Break Fiesta next Saturday, March 16 for the first meet of the outdoor season. Live results can be found on finishedresults.com.