Women Finish Sixth, Men 34th at NCAA Indoor Track Championships

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (March 11) - The Cougar women scored a total of 28 team points to finish sixth overall in Fayetteville, equaling the best indoor finish in school history, set last season. The men failed to score additional points Saturday, and ended the competition in 34th place.

UCLA won the women's competition with a total of 51 points, followed by South Carolina (41), Arkansas (37), LSU (36), Villanova (31), and BYU (26). Arkansas used home field advantage to secure the men's title with 69.5 points. They were followed by Stanford (52), SMU (38), TCU (34), and Florida (29).

Women's coach Craig Poole had nothing but good to say about his athletes following the meet. "We're very pleased with our finish. It's as good as we've ever done indoors. I can't complain at all about the effort our girls showed this weekend. We're very proud of our kids."

Sophomore Sherida Rogers provided Saturday's highlight, taking third in the mile in a time of 4:46.03. Rogers became an All-American for the first time and the ninth BYU athlete to earn the honor this weekend. Her six points were the only points scored by any Cougar on the second day of competition. Laura Heiner finished 10th in the 3000m with a time of 9:29.20, while Jeana Bingham performed well but was unable to score in the high jump.

Pole vaulters Jeff Hansen and Alan Gulledge were unable to add to Jim Roberts' five shot put points, as the pair finished ninth and tenth, respectively, in the pole vault Saturday. Hansen nearly became the first Cougar to clear 18 feet, as he narrowly missed some impressive vaults, but still managed to earn his second All-American letter with a 17'-8.5" performance. Gulledge cleared 17'-4.5" to secure 10th place.

"We had some very good competition this weekend and emerged with valuable experience," said men's coach Willard Hirschi. "Now it's on to outdoors."

The Cougars won't waste much time getting into the outdoor season, as they get things started next weekend in San Luis Obispo, Calif., at the Cal Poly Invitational March 17-18.

WOMEN'S FINAL TEAM SCORES

1. UCLA 51

2. South Carolina 41

3. Arkansas 37

4. LSU 36

5. Villanova 31

6. BYU 28

7. Kansas State 25

8. Texas 23

9. Auburn 18

10. SMU 16

MEN'S FINAL TEAM SCORES

1. Arkansas 69.5

2. Stanford 52

3. SMU 38

4. TCU 34

5. Florida 29

5. Alabama 29

7. LSU 28

8. South Alabama 20

8. South Carolina 20

10. Arizona State 16

10. Clemson 16

34. BYU 5