Cougars claim four first place finishes at Utah Tech Invitational

SAINT GEORGE, Utah – BYU men’s track and field set three meet records alongside their four first place finishes at the Utah Tech Invitational on Saturday.

Mark Bryant set the meet record in the discus posting a 52.22m/171-4 mark to finish first overall in his collegiate debut. The Freshman from Cedar Hills won the event beating out second place by nearly a half meter. The Cedar Hills product claimed the meet record by posting a throw more than a meter further than the previous mark of 50.91m/167-0 set in 2024.

“I was excited to have Mark finally throw in uniform after redshirting last year and having to get shoulder surgery before indoor season in December.” Throws coach Niklas Arrhenius said, “He showed he was capable of this kind of performance during his redshirt year and during a few of the practices we’ve had outdoors this spring. I think he has farther throws ahead of him, but to open up his college career setting a meet record and winning with a throw over 52 meters is really solid.”

Representing the throwers alongside M. Bryant in the discus was Tyler Poole, Erik Bryant and Kaden Passey. Poole finished fourth with a throw of 49.12m/161-2, E. Bryant finished eighth posting a mark of 46.68m/153-1 and Passey finished 10th. 

Poole and the Bryant brothers also competed in the shot put with Poole finishing second overall in an outdoor personal-best 16.54m/54-3.25. E. Bryant finished fourth with a throw of 15.69m/51-5.75 and M. Bryant finished 10th.

Garrett Copelin led the hurdles group taking first overall in the 400-meter hurdles finishing in 51.75. With that time, the sophomore set a personal record in the event while also claiming the meet record by more than two seconds despite three other finishers also breaking the previous mark of 53.86. The Tallahassee, Florida native also set a personal record in the 110-meter hurdles with a 14.39 second third place finish.

“It was a great season opener for Garrett in the 400 hurdles.” Hurdles coach Kyle Grossarth said, “He ran a PR in the 110 hurdles, so he was feeling ready for the 400 hurdles. He still has some things to clean up, but I’m excited for what is to come.”

Treyton Anderson, Jayden Jessee and Passey each competed alongside Copelin in the 110m hurdles with Anderson claiming second in a personal-record 14.33 seconds. Jessee took sixth finishing in 14.55 seconds and Passey took 13th.

All-American Josh Taylor made his final season debut in the 200-meter dash taking first in a time of 21.37. Brayden Dahl also represented the sprints group in the 400-meter finishing in 46.80 to take third overall.

Caleb Johnson made his first collegiate appearance in the 800-meter, taking first overall, crossing the line in 1:50.57. Brayden Packard competed in the event alongside Johnson finishing just behind him in third at 1:50.96.

Hayden Gribble and Connor Saunders both represented the jumps group in the high jump with Gribble finishing in a meet record and personal record height of 2.10m/6-10.75, taking second overall. Saunders also set a personal record in the event finishing third with a height of 2.00m/6-6.75.

Full Results

Up Next

The Cougars head to Utah Valley University to compete at the UVU Outdoor Invitational at Hal Wing Track and Field on Thursday March 26.