Wood Achieves Among Nation's Top Throws
PROVO -- In the opening events of the BYU Track Invitational Thursday, BYU's Missy Wood achieved the nation's seventh-best javelin throw while recording the ninth-best throw in school history.
"I was very impressed with Missy's performance today," BYU throwing coach Richard Legas said. "She really responded after (Izabel) Savic took the lead. She came through with one of the nation's top throws."
After claiming the initial advantage, Wood witnessed UVSC's Izabel Savic take the lead with a throw of 45.94 meters. Wood responded with a personal-best distance of 48.77 meters (160 feet) -- the seventh longest throw in the nation this season. Following Savic in third place was BYU's Lyndsay Ford (35.12), with Utah's Amber Devries in fourth (34.86).
Utah State's Niel Warr won the men's javelin with a throw of 69.04 meters, with BYU's Spencer Smith (59.26) and Matt Hickman (57.66) rounding out the top three.
The Aggies' Ryan Bruhn took the hammer throw event with a heave over 200 feet at 62.37 meters. BYU's Matt Holcomb was second with a throw over 190 feet at 58.20 meters. Utah's Vanessa Mortensen claimed the women's hammer title at 55.71 meters, followed by BYU's Chelsea Weenig (53.20).
"Matt had his second best throw," BYU men's track coach Mark Robison said. "I was very pleased with his effort today. Spencer also did an excellent job in the javelin."
The BYU Invitational continues Friday with running events beginning at 7:30 a.m. in the high school division. The meet concludes Saturday. Admission is $4.
RESULTSJavelin (Women)
Missy Wood, BYU (48.77m)
Izabel Savic, UVSC (45.94m)
Lyndsay Ford, BYU (35.12m)
Amber Devries, Utah (34.86m)
Noelle Pace, UVSC (32.79m)
Vanessa Mortensen, Utah (32.33m)
Mindi Larsen, UVSC (30.82m)
Javelin (Men)
Niel Warr, Utah State (69.04m)
Spencer Smith, BYU (59.26m)
Matt Hickman, BYU (57.66m)
Chase Taylor, USU (56.06m)
Justin Palmer, BYU (52.60m)
Paul Walker, Utah State (52.25m)
Devin Scoresby, BYU (37.48m)
Hammer (Women)
Vanessa Mortensen, Utah (55.71m)
Chelsea Weenig, BYU (53.20m)
Malita Bingham, BYU (51.03m)
Kelli Burton, Utah State (48.70m)
Susan Clayton, BYU (47.20m)
Dominique Green, BYU (47.40m)
Hammer (Men)
Ryan Bruhn, Utah State (62.37m)
Matt Holcomb, BYU (58.20m)
Josh Sides, Utah State (57.83m)
Kevin Liu, Utah State (51.92m)
Mark Burton, Utah State (49.02m)
Markham Hyde, UVSC (42.45m)
