FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — BYU women's track and field posted six national qualifiers as the program's discus and 400-meter records were also broken Saturday at John McDonnell Field.
The combined men's and women's program qualified 16 total entries to the NCAA Division I National Championships over the weekend in the Preliminary First Round with eight entries on each side.
Gretchen Hoekstre was the first Cougar to qualify on Saturday as she broke her own school record in the discus throw by nearly a meter after setting it two weeks ago at the Big 12 Championships. Hoekstre threw 57.04-meters/187-2 on her second toss and placed tenth in the field of 48. She will compete in her first-ever national championship June 8 at Hayward Field.
Cierra Tidwell Allphin was the next national qualifier for BYU with her 1.84m/6-0.5 clearance, securing her fourth and final outdoor championship appearance. A five-time All-American, Tidwell Allphin owns the program's indoor school record at 1.89m/6-2.5 and is tied for No. 2 all-time oudoor at 1.88m/6-2.
Riley Chamberlain placed fifth in her heat of the 1500m to earn an automatic qualifying spot to the outdoor championships. The sophomore from Clovis, California anchored BYU's national championship DMR team at the 2024 indoor championships. Chamberlain will compete in her first-ever outdoor championship June 6 for the semifinal round of the 1500m.
Freshman Taylor Lovell ran 10:01.03 in the 3000m steeplechase to punch her ticket to Eugene with a third-place finish in her heat and fourth overall in the field. Lovell is No. 7 all-time on the BYU record board in the event as she ran 9:51.57 at the Bryan Clay Invitational April 11. She will compete in the semifinals June 6 at Hayward Field.
Jaslyn Gardner won her heat of the 100m and placed third overall, solidifying her ticket to nationals. Gardner ran another all-conditions career best of 11.00 seconds besting her time in the first round by .03. However, the wind read 2.1 m/s and was over the legal limit to count for the top spot on the BYU record board. Gardner will compete in the semifinals June 6 in Eugene.
Sadie Sargent qualified for her first-ever outdoor championship as she placed second in her heat and third overall in the 5000m clocking 15:57.58. The senior from Coalville, Utah is No. 3 all-time for the Cougars in the event with her 15:34.18 run at the Payton Jordan Invitational April 26.
While coming up short of nationals, Sami Oblad broke her own 400m school record of 52.51 as she ran 52.35. Oblad owns both the indoor and outdoor schools records in the event.
The 4x100m and 4x400m relays narrowly missed out on qualifying for the championships as they finished 14th and 13th, respectively.
Quotes
“I think it was a fantastic four days. The men and women each had eight qualifications for the national championships . I’m really pleased that we had athletes move on from each event category. Things started strong with the men on Wednesday with the shot put and discus throw. That momentum carried through to today where the women did amazing to end the meet. All the coaches did well preparing their athletes and helping them execute. We’ll be sending a strong group of qualifiers to Eugene.”
"I’m glad I was able to battle it out at regionals and qualify for nationals. I’m stoked to represent BYU on the big stage one last time. I am grateful for my team and the best cheering squad."
“The race was hard but I’m so happy and grateful to have a spot on the line at Eugene. I love that I get to be a part of this team and sport.”
"I’m thrilled to be joining the squad BYU is taking to Eugene. My heart is full of gratitude, love and faith in God. I’m excited for the big dance and forever grateful for Coach T and my people. Let’s go COUGS!"
“I’m feeling really good. I feel like I executed my race well and I ended up running a good time. It definitely feels good to get back out and run some faster times. I was a little injured earlier this season so it took me a little bit to be patient with myself to get to this point of dropping my times a little faster, so it feels good to have a big drop like that.”
Up next, BYU track and field will compete at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships June 5-8 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.