PROVO -- The final day of competition at the 2009 BYU Robison Invitational was damped by rain but the Cougars managed to turn in several strong performances on Saturday.
“We did well today,” BYU women’s track coach Craig Poole said. “When it rains it kind of takes the emotion away from what we’re trying to do. We just have to come back another day and do better in better conditions.”
The Cougars earned NCAA regional qualifying marks in the pole vault as BYU swept the top-five places. Kari McAllister cleared 4.15 meters (13 feet 7.5 inches) to take first and was followed by Kelli Ehardt (4.05 meters, 13 feet 3.5 inches) and Christene Botteron (3.85 meters, 12 feet 7.50 inches) with all three qualifying for regionals. Shanie Bushman and Ashley Shepard finished fourth and fifth, respectively.
Jenna Lowder gave the women an event victory with her efforts in the 800m open timed finals, crossing the finish line in 2:18.21, just 0.55 seconds ahead of Cassie Olson of Weber State.
Madara Dzalbe turned in a solid performance in the triple jump, taking third with a mark of 38 feet 2.25 inches. Cassandra Woodall placed fifth in the hammer throw for the Cougars with a throw of 51.22 meters (168 feet 0.5 inches).
Samantha Thayne ran strong in the 400 meter final, placing third with a time of 57.76 seconds.
The Cougars swept the top-two spots in the men’s steeple chase thanks to the efforts of Ryan Merriman and Regan Frey. Merriman won with a time of 9:17.92 while Frey was close behind in 9:26.39.
Justin Hedin turned in a solid performance in the 1 mile open timed finals, taking second with a 4:22.67 mark, just 0.17 behind the winner, Joshua McCabe, who ran unattached. Kevin Biesinger and Robert Harrison gave the men a pair of second-place finishes, Biesinger in the 400 meter final (47.91) and Harrison in the 800 meter open final (1:57.19).
Daniel Lawson matched Friday’s win in the discus with a first-place finish in the shot put. His mark of 16.89 meters (55 feet 5 inches) outdistanced Jed Sion (53 feet 4.25 inches) of Idaho State for the title.
Whitney Neves gave the Cougars another field event title by winning the pole vault invitational finals. A day after BYU swept the pole vault open, Neves cleared 17 feet 0.75 inches for the victory in the invitational finals.
The Cougars continued to control the field events as Trevor Heiner took home the high jump title by clearing 6 feet 8.75 inches.
Oliver Whaley gave the men a second-place finish in the hammer throw with a toss that measured 55.06 meters (180 feet 7.75 inches).