PROVO -- For the second consecutive year the annual Cougar Invitational was held with snow on the ground, but that did not prevent a successful day for the BYU women’s track and field team, which also had several athletes competing at the Texas Relays in Austin.

“We are right where we need to be right now,” head coach Craig Poole said. “Our athletes are right on schedule, and we will start to see some really good marks in the coming weeks.”

Junior All-American Katie Palmer-Cox competed today for the first time since the 2009 outdoor season and came on strong, winning the 1500-meter steeplechase in 5:01.53. The Cougars took the top six spots in the event, with Katy Andrews and Katy Bowen rounding out the top three in 5:01.57 and 5:05.53 respectively.

Another Cougar victory came in the 5000-meter race, which junior Millie Rapp took in 17:52.11. Freshman Loren Wynn also placed in the top three, coming in third in 18:32.05, with freshman Kathryn Vidmar finishing not far behind in fourth in 18:39.91.

Senior Alyssa Christensen competed in both the 100- and 400-meter hurdle events, finishing both in the top three. Christensen took third in the 100mH in 14.42 and second in the 400mH in 1:00.85.

Former BYU soccer player Ashleigh Jameson competed well at her first outdoor home meet, taking second in the 100-meters in 12.29 and first in the 200-meters in 24.47.

Sophomore Kelli Ehardt dominated the pole vault competition, taking first by over a foot. Ehardt finished with a vault of 4.01-meters (13-01.75), which would currently rank her third in the Mountain West Conference.

Two Cougars took the first two spots in the triple jump, with senior Madara Dzable winning the event with a jump of 12.09m (39-08.00). Freshman Melissa Keltner followed in second with a leap of 11.62m (38-01.50).

Freshman Allyson Wardell won the javelin throw with a toss of 44.00m (144-04.25) which would rank her second in the MWC, just behind a throw she recorded earlier this season. Senior Sarah Lancaster placed second in the javelin with a throw of 43.21m (141-09.25) ranks third in the MWC.

Over in Austin, Texas, senior Mindy McClurkin led the way for the team with her second place finish in the long jump. McClurkin leapt 6.43m (21-01.25) in the event, which ranks first in the MWC. McClurkin also qualified for the finals in the 100-meters with a career best time of 11.60.

“Mindy ran and jumped really well today,” Poole said. “She got a lifetime best in the 100-meters, and that is a really great accomplishment, but all the kids here really competed hard today.”

In the collegiate B division of the high jump, sophomore Diana Blauer took first with a leap of 1.71m (5-07.25). Senior Ashley Dziendziel followed her in second with a jump of 1.66m (5-05.25).

Senior Amy Otis ran well in her heat of the 100-meter hurdles, placing third in the heat and 21st overall with a 13.99 time.

The BYU Cougar Invitational concluded its action today, but the Texas Relays will continue tomorrow starting at 8:00 a.m. MST.

Live results for the Texas Relays can be found at:

http://www.texassports.com/livestats/tex-relays/

Results for the Cougar Invite can be found at:

http://results.runnercard.com/Results/results.jsp?meetid=2447

PROVO -- BYU women’s track and field will have 56 athletes competing at home this Friday at the annual BYU Cougar Invitational at Clarence F. Robison track, and will also send nine athletes to Austin for the prestigious Texas Relays.

The Cougar Invitational will begin on March 31 with the heptathlon and pentathlon, with the main portion of events taking place on April 2. In last season’s Invitational, the Cougars were finished with ten first place marks and two Mountain West Conference-leading marks.

Schools attending this year’s first home meet include Utah State, Utah Valley, Wyoming, Weber State, Southern Utah and Utah. Events will begin on Friday at 10:00 a.m. MST with the men’s hammer and concludes at 5:00 p.m. MST with the men’s 4x400m relay.

Seniors Mindy McClurkin, Amy Otis, Ashley Dziendziel and Kari Clark will lead the group heading to Texas, and will be joined by juniors Mindy Robins and Porshe Giddings. Three underclassman will also attend, including sophomore high jumpers Ada Robinson and Diana Blauer, as well as freshman Rachel Brooke Fisher.

McClurkin will compete in the 100-meters, long jump, 4x100m relay and 4x200m relay. Joining her in the relays will be Otis, Robins and Giddings. Otis will also run the 100m hurdles, while Giddings will join McClurkin in the 100m dash.

Dziendziel, Blauer and Robinson will stick to their usual routine, competing only in the high jump. Clark and Fisher will both compete in the pole vault.

This will be Fisher’s first meet back in her home state of Texas, and will be her second consecutive year competing at the Texas Relays. As a high school senior in 2009, Fisher won the pole vault at this meet with a height of 3.9634-meters, which was the number one height for high school girls at the time.

The Relays will begin on Wednesday March 31 with the men’s decathlon at 11:00 a.m. MST and will conclude Saturday April 3 at 3:45 p.m. MST with the men’s 4x400m relay.

Live Results for the Cougar Invitational can be found at:

http://results.runnercard.com/Results/results.jsp?meetid=2447