Cherry and Silver Invite Up Next

PROVO, Utah – The third week of the 2012 track and field season will get underway on Friday as the BYU men’s and women’s teams head to New Mexico to compete in the annual Cherry and Silver Invitational.

Both teams had strong individual performances last week at the Blue and Orange Opener in Boise and hope to build on those marks in New Mexico.

Several new athletes will open their seasons this weekend, including senior Fatima Makakala on the women’s side and sprinter Steven Hart on the men’s team. A few distance runners, including national champions Lacey Bleazard and Miles Batty, will not open their seasons until later in the year.

The competition at the meet will be the toughest the Cougars have faced this season. Strong teams from California, Colorado State, New Mexico, Portland State, Tulane, Utah State, UTEP and Washington State will be in attendance. Several professional athletes will also be competing at the meet.

Competition will begin Friday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. MST with the men’s pole vault. The pole vault, weight throw, long jump and high jump will be the only events contested Friday. On Saturday, competition will open at 9:00 a.m. and will conclude at 4:20 p.m. with the women’s 4x400m relay.