PROVO, Utah (April 18) - The Cougars will take on the best talent in the region this weekend, as they host the Robison Invitational, April 20-22 at the BYU Track complex. Admission is free of charge for all three days of competition.
"We're looking for a good day," said men's head coach Willard Hirschi. "Final exams will be over, so we're looking for some mentally tough performances. If the weather is what it's supposed to be, we should set a number of seasonal bests. The meet will be a great opportunity to step on the track and improve on what has happened so far."
Among those expected to compete are Utah, Utah State, Weber State, Southern Utah, Idaho State, Ricks and UVSC. A number of former collegians will also participate as "unattached" athletes, including two-time NCAA 100-meter champion Leonard Myles-Mills and former world record-holder Tiffany Lott-Hogan. The meet began in 1989, following the retirement of former men's head coach Clarence Robison. The Cougars have won every men's and women's team title since the event's inception.
The women's team, ranked No. 7 by Trackwire and No. 4 in the latest Power Rankings, will field athletes dotting the nation's leader board in a variety of events. Leading the way is German native Kirsten Bolm, who is the Cougars' lone competitor ranked No. 1 in the country, in the long jump. Bolm is also at No. 20 in the 100-meter hurdles ranking. Also scheduled to compete this weekend are Jeana Bingham, ranked 10th in the high jump and Amy Curtis (16th, javelin). The meet's most well-rounded competitor may be Marty Hernandez, who is nationally ranked in three separate events. Hernandez is 4th in the 10,000 meters, 12th in the 5,000 meters and 22nd in the 3,000 meters.
The men have their fair share of NCAA Championship hopefuls on hand for the invitational. The highest ranking of the group belongs to senior Kyle Grossarth, who is sitting at No. 4 in the 400-meter hurdles. Kenneth Andam is the nation's 16th-ranked 100-meter runner, John Hedengren is No. 21 in the 10,000 meters. High jumper Marc Chenn is at No. 13 nationally, and indoor All-American Jim Roberts has the ninth-best performance of the season in the shot put.
The meet will begin Thursday with the first half of the heptathlon and decathlon competition, and will conclude Saturday afternoon with the 4x400 relays at 2:20 p.m.