News Summary
The BYU women’s track and field team has qualified nine athletes to compete in ten events at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. Meghan Hunter set a new school record in the 800m, while other athletes like Tessa Buswell and Carlee Hansen also secured spots in their respective events. This marks the highest representation for the program in nearly two decades, showcasing the team’s commitment and skill as they prepare for the national stage.
Provo, Utah – The BYU women’s track and field team has qualified nine athletes to compete in ten events at the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Championships, maintaining the same number of competitors as the previous year. This achievement marks the seventh occasion in which the BYU track program has sent more than ten athletes to the finals, reflecting the strength and depth of the team.
The standout performance came from Meghan Hunter, who not only set a new facility record but also established a new BYU school record in the 800m with a remarkable time of 1:58.95. With this time, she has earned her second career qualification for the NCAA Outdoor Championships. Hailing from Provo, Utah, Hunter is a two-time First Team All-American and is now the third collegian in history to run under 1:59 in the 800m, achieving this remarkable feat twice in May 2025.
Among the other notable competitors, Tessa Buswell, a true freshman, also qualified in the 800m by finishing eighth overall with a time of 2:02.54. She is distinguished as the only freshman woman from BYU to compete at the nationals this year. Carlee Hansen secured her spot in the 1500m with a fifth-place finish, setting a new BYU school record of 4:07.64, breaking the previous record which was held by 2021 NCAA champion Anna Camp-Bennett.
Riley Chamberlain further bolstered the team’s presence in the 1500m with a personal-best time of 4:08.24, also qualifying for the championship. Adding to the accolades, Lexy Halladay-Lowry won the 3000m steeplechase with a record-setting time of 9:23.03, marking her third trip to the NCAA Outdoor Championships. Taylor Lovell additionally qualified in the same event, finishing fourth overall with a personal-best time of 9:42.83.
In the 5000m event, Jenna Hutchins finished third in her heat and overall, clocking in at 15:49.95, showcasing her competitive edge on the track. Sami Oblad also made headlines by placing second in her heat and fifth overall in the 400m with a time of 51.29, which advances her to the NCAA semifinals. Oblad’s qualification marks a significant milestone as she becomes the first BYU athlete to qualify for the outdoor championships in the 400m since 2013.
In field events, Gretchen Hoekstre qualified for both the discus and shot put competitions, throwing a distance of 54.58m in discus and achieving a mark of 16.87m in shot put. The BYU track program’s total of ten entries into the championships signifies the highest representation since 2004, underscoring the program’s resurgence in competitive track and field.
In addition to the women’s achievements, several male athletes also qualified for the championships. Luke Grundvig qualified for the NCAA Championships for the first time in the 5000m with a personal best of 13:34.63. James Corrigan secured his spot in the 3000m steeplechase, having won his heat with a time of 8:31.79. The men’s 4x400m relay team finished third in their heat and eighth overall, continuing their streak by qualifying for nationals for the third consecutive year. Meanwhile, Joey Nokes and Creed Thompson competed in the 5000m but finished 16th and 20th, respectively. Additionally, Carter Cutting narrowly missed qualifying in the 800m, while Danny Bryant achieved his personal best in the discus, finishing 15th overall.
The BYU women’s track and field team’s performance at the championships is a testament to the dedication of the athletes and the coaching staff. With a strong lineup heading into the NCAA Outdoor Championships, the Cougars aim to build upon their successful season and leave a lasting impression on the national stage.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- ACU Track & Field Finish 2025 Season
- Wikipedia: NCAA Outdoor Championships
- Meet Preview: NCAA West Preliminary Round
- Google Search: Track and Field Qualifications
- Vandals Leave Their Mark in College Station
- Google Scholar: BYU Track and Field
- Tech Men Complete Their Week in College Station
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Provo, Utah
- Panthers Wrap Men’s Outdoor Season
- Google News: BYU Women’s Track and Field
