BOSTON — Meghan Hunter, Riley Chamberlain and Lexy Halladay-Lowry each broke a BYU school record at the John Thomas Terrier Classic Friday at the Track & Tennis Center.
Hunter ran a lifetime-best in the 800-meters, clocking an NCAA leading time of 2:00.21. The senior from Provo, Utah won the event in a loaded field of professionals and collegians.
"I was able to open up my season well here a couple of months ago, and since then, I have had some really good and consistent workouts," said Hunter. "Coach Taylor and I knew that we were ready to go and do big things so I just really went for it. I went out harder than I usually do and I felt strong throughout the whole race. I am really happy with how it played out."
A two-time First Team All-American in the 800m, Hunter now owns four school records for the Cougars: indoor 800m, distance medley relay, outdoor 4x400m and outdoor 4x800m.
Chamberlain clocked 4:26.19 in the mile to break the BYU program record by over three seconds and earn a four-second personal best. The junior from Loomis, California placed third in the event as the first collegian to cross the line behind Olympian Elise Cranny and Adidas professional Gabbi Jennings. Chamberlain's time is the fifth-fastest in NCAA history and is No. 2 in the NCAA so far this season.
"The race went about as great as it could have," said Chamberlain. "Coach told me to come through the 1000m feeling good and then close hard. I think I executed the race plan well. I am so grateful to be where I am and break the school record. Whittni (Morgan) and all the other amazing women and school record-holders that came before me are super inspiring, so I hope that the women that come after me can believe that they can do big things and chase fast times as well."
The BYU program record is Chamberlain's second as she was also a part the Cougar's record-breaking distance medley relay squad in 2024.
Lexy Halladay-Lowry broke under the 15-minute barrier in the 5000m for a lifetime best of 14:57.63. A three-time First Team All-American in track & field, Halladay-Lowry was the first collegian to finish as she placed fourth overall behind BYU alum Whittni Morgan and Nike sponsered Ella Donaghu and Bailey Hurtenstein. Halladay-Lowry's time is the fourth-fastest in NCAA history and No. 3 in the NCAA this season.
"I am super, super happy with the performance that I was able to do today running with my women and those pros," said Halladay-Lowry. "It was just magical today."
The senior from Meridian, Idaho shattered the Cougar's 5000m school record by nearly 18 seconds. Halladay-Lowry is also ranked No. 2 in the 3000m steeplechase and No. 3 in the 3000m in BYU's record books.
"There's still stuff to work on and it's still so early in the season. I'm trying not to get too excited, but it's so hard for me when we have a day like this."
Diljeet TaylorAssociate Director of Track & FieldUp Next
The BYU sprints, hurdles, jumps and throws will compete Saturday at the Roman Ruiz Speed and Power Invite in Logan, Utah.