News Summary
The BYU men’s and women’s track and field teams are preparing for the crucial NCAA West Preliminary Round, where they will seek qualifying spots for the NCAA Championships. The men’s team boasts 27 entries while the women’s team features 24 athletes. Noteworthy competitors include James Corrigan in the steeplechase and Lexy Halladay-Lowry in the women’s steeplechase. Both teams aim to showcase their talents and secure their spots at the prestigious national event in Eugene, Oregon.
College Station, Texas – The BYU men’s and women’s track and field teams are gearing up for the NCAA West Preliminary Round, running from May 28 to May 31. This crucial competition will determine which athletes qualify for the NCAA Championships scheduled for June 11-14 in Eugene, Oregon.
Both teams have a strong presence at the preliminary round, with the men’s team sending 27 entries and the women’s team featuring 24 athletes. The top 12 competitors or relays in each event from both the West and East Preliminary Rounds will secure their spots at the prestigious national championships.
Men’s Team Highlights
The men’s team will field its strength in several events, particularly the 400-meters, 400-meter hurdles, 1,500-meters, 3,000-meter steeplechase, 5,000-meters, and javelin. A key athlete to watch is James Corrigan, who is motivated to return to the NCAA Championships after finishing ninth in 2024, earning second team All-American honors last season. Corrigan boasts the second-fastest time in the steeplechase for the region, clocking in at 8:22.20, and the third-fastest nationally, having broken his own record at the Big 12 Outdoor Championships.
Other notable athletes in the steeplechase include Isaac Hedengren and Landon Heemeyer, who rank fifth and eighth in the region, respectively. Joey Nokes and Creed Thompson are set to participate in the 5,000/10,000-meter double, with Nokes positioned ninth in the 5,000 meters and 16th in the 10,000 meters. Senior Danny Bryant, a standout shot putter who secured fourth place at the last NCAA Division I Championships, currently ranks 12th in the region with a seasonal best of 19.84 meters.
Tyler Mathews, having placed third in the 800-meters at the Big 12 Championship, will try to utilize his record-setting 800m time of 1:46.19, which stands as the second-fastest in BYU history. Meanwhile, Carter Cutting, Lucas Bons, and Aidan Troutner will compete in the 1,500-meters, with Cutting and Bons being among Utah’s top five mile runners historically. The 4×400-meter relay team also looks strong, ranking fourth in the region and seventh nationally with a time of 3:03.05. Brinton Paulson will participate in the javelin after a solid third-place performance at the Big 12 Championships.
Women’s Team Highlights
The women’s team is sending a well-rounded group of 24 athletes, including five competitors in both the 3000-meter steeplechase and 1500 meters. Lexy Halladay-Lowry, currently ranked No. 2 in the West for the steeplechase, previously earned First Team All-American honors in 2023 and will be a key competitor. Carlee Hansen leads the charge in the 1500 meters, having placed second at the Big 12 Championships and ranking No. 2 in BYU’s history.
Among the highlights for the women’s team, Meghan Hunter has been a standout, holding the No. 1 seed in the 800 meters after winning the Big 12 title with a time of 1:58.99, placing her among the top collegians. Sami Oblad is another noteworthy competitor, ranked No. 2 in the West for the 400 meters, aiming to cement her qualification for the national championships.
Jenna Hutchins will compete in the 5000 meters, holding the No. 4 rank in the region with a personal best time of 15:16.95. Senior Gretchen Hoekstre is set for both the shot put and discus events, holding the school record in the discus. Additionally, seniors Rebekah Erikson and Maren Garnett will compete in the pole vault, both striving for qualification to the NCAA Championships.
Looking Ahead
The athletes will focus on their upcoming events at the NCAA West Preliminary Round, anticipating the opportunity to showcase their talent and determination. Following this competition, the Cougars will prepare for the NCAA National Championships in Eugene, Oregon, where they will compete against the best athletes in the country.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Arizona Track and Field Team Prepares for NCAA Regionals
BYU Track and Field Teams Prepare for NCAA West Preliminary Round
Additional Resources
- BYU Athletics: NCAA West Preliminary Round
- Wikipedia: College Station, Texas
- BYU Athletics: BYU Distance Squads in Boston
- Google Search: BYU Track and Field
- BYU Athletics: Hunter Breaks 800m Record
- Google Scholar: Track and Field Record
- BYU Athletics: Steeplechase at Payton Jordan
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Payton Jordan
- BYU Athletics: Hazlett 400m Record
- Google News: Hazlett 400m Record
