BOSTON — BYU women's distance medley relay (DMR) won a national championship on day one at the NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships Friday night at the TRACK at New Balance.
Sadie Sargent opened up the race running the 1200-meter leg in 3:20.65, then Sami Oblad split 55.50 for the Cougars' 400m leg. Carlee Hansen followed that up with a 2:07.50 in the 800m and Riley Chamberlain anchored the squad to victory, running 4:27.78 for her 1600m leg.
"We put our heads down and worked" Sargent said. "Coach told us to believe in ourselves and in each other. That is exactly what we did today."
The Cougars' time of 10:51.42 is the third fastest DMR ever run at the indoor championships and marks BYU's second DMR national title in four seasons. Courtney Wayment, Olivia Hoj-Simister, Lauren Ellsworth-Barnes and Alena Ellsworth carried the baton to a title in 2021.
In addition to a national title, Sargent, Oblad, Hansen and Chamberlain were named First Team All-Americans.
“We have had our share of lows. I told the women that just when the caterpillar thinks the world is ending, it turns into a butterfly. I think we just experienced a big butterfly moment.”
Diljeet TaylorAssociate Director of Track and Field
Women's Recap
Lexy Halladay-Lowry was named a First Team All-American as she placed fifth in the 5000-meter final with a personal-best time of 15:20.73. She now moves up to No. 2 all-time on the BYU indoor record board. Halladay-Lowry will compete in the 3000m tomorrow at 6 p.m. MST.
Jenna Hutchins and Aubrey Frentheway were named Second Team All-Americans in the 5000m as they took ninth and 11th, respectively. Hutchins clocked 15:31.42 while Frentheway crossed close behind in 15:37.30.
Meghan Hunter earned her spot in tomorrow's 800m final with a 2:03.60. Hunter placed eighth overall in the heats and will race at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Carmen Alder earned Second Team All-America honors as she placed 15th in the mile heats, running 4:41.55.
Men's Recap
Lucas Bons punched his ticket to the men's mile final with a 3:58.60 to win his heat. Bons placed seventh overall in the prelims and will race for a national championship tomorrow at 2 p.m.
"It was a messy race out there, but I managed to stay on my feet and come out with the Q" Bons said. "I’m happy with how I ran tactically and I feel good about the finals tomorrow."
Aidan Troutner set a new personal best in the mile, clocking 3:59.07 to move up to No. 7 all-time in the BYU indoor record books. Troutner, however, fell short of qualifying for Saturday's final with an 11th-place finish.
BYU will return to the TRACK at New Balance tomorrow for day two of the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Nationals. Cierra Tidwell Allphin will kickoff the action for the Cougars competing in the high jump at 11 a.m. MT. Live results can be found on Flash Results with live streaming on ESPN+.