Yingling and Hilton lead Cougars in first day of Aztec Invitational

jessica-0884_0jessica-0884_0

SAN DIEGO – Sarah Yingling and Jessica Hilton finished first and third in the 1,500-meter race to lead the women’s track and field team Friday at the 35th Aztec Invitational.

“This was an excellent opener for Sarah and Jessica,” BYU head coach Patrick Shane said. “It was exciting to see them run so well. We only competed in a few events tonight, several throwing events and the pole vault, but the 1,500 stands out the most for us.”

Yingling finished one second off of her personal best that she ran before her mission with a time of 4:28.87. Throughout most of the race Yingling ran head to head with a UCLA runner but pulled away with 200 meters to go for the win.

Hilton also came from behind to finish third with a time of 4:30.69. During the last leg of the race, Hilton also passed a UCLA runner. Hilton’s time is a new personal record by nine seconds.

The Cougars continue competition in the final day of the invitational on Saturday.

Results can be found here.