More Qualifiers in Day 2

Palo Alto, Calif. (March 28, 2009) – Day two of the Stanford Invitational topped things off for the Cougars with several additional athletes earning regional qualifying marks in Palo Atlo, Calif.

The No. 3 nationally ranked women’s team added several more NCAA regional qualifying marks to an already impressive showing at the Stanford Invitational.

“Overall it was a successful meet,” said BYU women’s head track and field coach Craig Poole. “We learned a lot and had some very encouraging performances.”

All-American Katie Palmer struck first for the Cougars on Saturday with a second place finish in the 800-meter run. Not only is her time of 2:05.56 an NCAA regional qualifying mark, but is this season's Mountain West Conference best time. Palmer’s 800-meter time places her fifth on BYU’s all-time records list.

Lacey Cramer, the nation's best indoor 800-meter runner, finished right behind Palmer for third place in the 800-meter event. Cramer’s time of 2:06.34 is also an NCAA regional qualifying mark.

All-American Mindy Neeley concluded her meet with a solid fourth place finish in the 200-meter event (24.14). Neeley ranks second in the MWC in the 200-meter, first in the long jump and fifth in the 100-meter events.

”I think once we get used to competing outdoors we will be very good,” Poole said. “For many of our athletes this was their first collegiate outdoor experience. I think we will continue to see constant improvement throughout the season.”

The men’s team also pulled ahead with strong performances, racking up four additional qualifying marks and adding to BYU’s strong reputation.

Finishing up a successful second day for the distance runners, freshman standout Justin Hedin placed fourth in the 800-meter run with a final time of 1:49.99, earning him a regional qualifying mark.

Moving things to the field, pole vaulters Robert Low and Chris Little cleared new heights, also earning them qualifying marks for Regional’s. Low placed second with a height of 5.30 meters (17 feet 4.5 inches) while Little came in fifth with 5.05 meters (16 feet 6.75 inches).

Wrapping up the weekend for the Cougars, junior Daniel Lawson held strong in the distance competition with a sixth place finish and final distance of 53.60 meters (175 feet 10 inches), a personal second regional mark at Stanford.

The Cougars return home to host the BYU Cougar Invitational. The meet will be held at the Clarence F. Robison outdoor Track.

Banking off Friday’s preliminary meets, sprinters Rhyan Atrice and Kevin Biesinger went on to place second and third in the 400-meter at the Air Force Invitational. Atrice finished in 48.37 with Biesinger closing in with 48.50.

Senior Bob Low had another successful weekend in the pole vault with a second-place finish clearing a height of 17 feet 6.50 inches.

The Husky Classic was a strong meet for the distance runners, setting seven new season best marks in the mile and 3000-meter. Travis Fuller placed first for the Cougars in the mile with a time of 4:10.32 while Dylan Shawhan finished third overall in the 3000-meter with a final time of 8:19.02.

At the Medalist Invitational, freshman George Barlow represented the Cougars taking a first-place victory in the 3000-meter with a time of 8:44.55 while Reagan Frey followed it up landing the second-place finish with a time of 8:48.67.

Leading the sprinters, Thomy Bosquet placed second in the 400-meter dash (53.31) and third in the 60-meter dash (7:32).

The Cougars are idle this weekend as they take the next two weeks to prepare for the MWC Indoor Championships in Colorado Springs.

CLICK HERE for day one recap.