Track Builds Momentum Over Weekend Meets

2009-Leif-Arrhenius-Shotput_0_02009-Leif-Arrhenius-Shotput_0_0

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Scattering athletes at different meets all over the country, BYU’s track teams continued to see improvement in performance as the outdoor season continues.

At the Sun Angel meet in Tempe,AZ, senior Oliver Whaley recorded a throw of 61.15m for a sixth place finish in the hammer throw. In the shot put, junior Colby Barber finished second for BYU with a throw of 17.18m.

Sophomore Sean Adams and junior Steven Hart took first and second place, respectively in the 400-meter. Adams ran a 48.21 and Hart clocked a 48.45 right behind him.

In the 800-meter senior James Heiner took third in the open division with a time of 1:51.22 and junior Miles Batty made his outdoor debut with a third place finish in the premier division with a time of 1:49.32.

Junior Kyle Mills won the triple jump in the open division. Mills went for a jump of 14.75m.

A few field athletes made the trip to Texas for the annual Texas Relays. Senior Leif Arrhenius won the discus with a throw of 60.75m. Arrhenius also finished fifth in the shot put with a toss of 18.33m.

Pole vaulters were strong in Texas with senior Chris Little and sophomore Victor Weirich both clearing 5.35m to grab the fifth and sixth place finishes. Senior Tanner Emrich competed in a different section and finished in second with a mark of 5.20m.

At the UVU Dual Meet, freshman Bryson Strupp took second in the high jump, clearing 1.83m. Freshman Tyler Brown competed in the pole vault and won the event by clearing 4.75m.

On the women’s side, the 4x400 relay team nabbed a first place finish in the open division in Tempe. Senior Porshe Giddings, juniors Sarah Edwards and Lacey Bleazard, and senior Katie Palmer finished in a time of 3:43.73 for the win.

Bleazard also took second overall in the 800-meter premier event with a time of 2:05.82 to be the quickest collegiate athlete in the event. Palmer also finished third overall and was the first collegiate runner in the 1500-meter, clocking a 4:21.11.

Junior Diana Blauer finished first in the high jump with a mark of 1.75m.

Both track teams will continue workouts this week in preparation for the Utah State Invitational and Mt. Sac Relays next weekend.