Cougars heavily favored in MWC men, women track

The Mountain West Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships get underway today at the Jack Christiansen Track on the campus of Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colo.

Heptathlon and decathlon events start today, with the other track and field events beginning Thursday. The meet runs through Saturday.

With nine out of a possible 10 MWC outdoor track and field titles between the BYU men's and women's teams, the Cougars are the heavy favorites. Wyoming, Air Force and Colorado State also should field strong teams.

The BYU women's team is currently ranked 19th in the nation, followed by Wyoming at No. 22 and Air Force at No. 25. The BYU men are ranked 21st. The Cougars have received more than 50 NCAA Regional qualifying marks during the outdoor season, including 16 athletes with top-20 national marks.

Those from the men's team with top-20 national marks include Bryan Lindsay (1,500 meters), Josh McAdams (3,000 meter steeplechase), Josh Rohatinsky (10,000 meters), Ben Gardner and Jake Garlick (400 meter hurdles), Bryce Bergen (high jump), Robbie Pratt and Trent Powell (pole vault) and Rodrigo Mendes (triple jump) with the top mark in the nation.

From the women's team Heidi Magill and Aneta Lemeisz (800 meters), Rena Chesser 5,000 meters), Chelsea Smith (10,000 meters), Lindsey Metcalf (high jump), Julene Kaufusi (pole vault), and Amy Menlove (long jump, heptathlon) have all earned top-20 national marks.

The University of Utah has six athletes who have recorded NCAA regional or provisional qualifying marks: Delfino Arevalo (5,000, 10,000 meters), Candice Workman-Ekberg (shot put, discus), Amanda Feigt (long jump), Vanessa Mortensen (hammer), AJ Roby (discus) and Nephi Tyler (1,500 meters).

Utah sophomore Amanda Feigt will compete in the heptathlon. Last month at the Clarence Robison Invitational, Feigt scored 4,856 points and earned a fourth-place finish. Her mark also ranks fifth on Utah's all-time list.

Up next for those MWC athletes who qualify is the NCAA West Regional Championship meet in Eugene, Ore., on May 28.