Track and Field Bring it Home

PROVO -- A strong field of athletes will join the Cougar track and field teams for their first of five outdoor home meets Friday.

"It's good to come home," said Coach Craig Poole. "It's a preview of some exciting things to come and our athletes are excited about competing on their home turf."

With two outdoor meets already completed, the runners, jumpers and throwers are ready to show the home crowd what they can do. Three women and 15 men have already qualified for regionals, which will also be hosted at BYU.

The men and women's pole vault competitions will be events to watch as both sides are coming off a regionally-qualifying weekend at Arizona State. Whitney Neves, a freshman from Otto, Wyo., fought to the end for a second-place finish in the men's pole vault with a height of 16 feet 6.75 inches. For the women, Mandy Lonsway vaulted to 12 feet 5.5 inches for her qualification.

These are just a few of many athletes looking for solid marks at the Cougar Invitational. Opponent teams include: Weber State, Southern Utah University, Utah Valley State, University of Utah and Northern Arizona University.

The meet will begin at approximately 11 a.m. and the final race will be at 5 p.m. It will be located at the Clarence F. Robison Track on BYU campus. The meet is free and open to the public.

Results will be available at the conclusion of each event on www.byutrack.com. An event schedule is also available on that site.