WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Cougars won the men’s distance medley relay (DMR), running a potential national-qualifying time at the JDR DMR Invitational on Friday.
“Our mission was accomplished," BYU head coach Ed Eyestone said. "We brought our men’s DMR team with the goal of qualifying. We ended up winning the race against some very good teams that traditionally make it in. There was another meet that took place in Notre Dame. Only two of the teams that weren’t ahead of us ran faster than us there. That puts us at No. 6 and 12 teams make it, so I think we’re safe. Things can happen at the conference meet, but most of the teams that have individuals capable of qualifying, have already done it.”
On Friday, Matt Owens, Colten Yardley, Michael Bluth and Talem Franco clocked 9:38.02 to win the men’s DMR on a 200m flat track. The squad is hoping to earn a national-qualifying time after the NCAA 7.8-second conversion that is given for competing on a flat track.
Matt Owens started things off with a time of 2:59.56 in the 1200m leg before handing the baton off to Colten Yardley who ran the 400m in 48.23. Michael Bluth completed the 800m leg in 1:51.06 and Talem Franco completed the race as the 1600m anchor in 3:59.17.
The NCAA grants the top 12 teams in the DMR a spot at Indoor Nationals on Friday, Mar. 13, and Saturday, Mar. 14.
"I was very impressed with the way the DMR team came together and stuck around the track," Eyestone said. "Talem ran an awesome final leg to move us up for the win. Our converted time will be 9:30.28."
Saturday’s competition included performances from Ransom Allphin in the men’s 60m hurdles and 400m and Garrett Marsing in the men’s 3000m. Allphin placed third out of 33 overall in his first collegiate 400m with a time of 50.19. Marsing won the men’s 3000m after crossing the finish line at 8:14.60.
BYU track and field will travel back to Seattle for the Mountain Sports Federation Indoor Championships on Friday, Feb. 28, and Saturday, Feb. 29, at the Dempsey Indoor Track Arena. Meet information will be available on the BYU track and field schedule page two days before the meet.
Official results for the JDR DMR Invitational can be found here.