BYU track & field: Success has given Cougars a new moniker in distance running

With relatively little fanfare, BYU athletes pulled off a distance-running double for their school this summer.

First, Kyle Perry, a BYU senior, won the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the NCAA track and field championships in Eugene, Ore.

Then two weeks later, his training partner, BYU graduate Josh McAdams, won the steeplechase at the USA national championships. This weekend, McAdams will represent the U.S. in the World Track and Field Championships in Berlin.

This is getting to be a habit. In football circles, BYU is known as Quarterback U., but in track circles it is becoming known by another nickname.

"We're certainly getting a reputation as Steeplechase U.," says BYU distance coach Ed Eyestone.

After dominating the distance events in the '80s, the Cougars' distance program is making a comeback primarily in the steeplechase, a 7 1/2-lap romp around the track over water jumps and heavy wooden barriers.

In the last dozen years, six BYU athletes have won a dozen national championships, either at the NCAA championships or the U.S. national championships:

Elizabeth Jackson, an East High grad who considered studying dance at a private school in San Francisco before devoting herself to running at 18, won the first NCAA women's steeplechase competition at the 2001 NCAA championships and set American and collegiate records. She placed ninth in the 2005 World Championships. She also won the U.S. national championship four times and was second three times before retiring.

Michaela Mannova, a Czech, won the 2002 NCAA championships and set the collegiate record.

Kassi Andersen, another local talent (Provo High), made it three in a row for BYU women by winning the 2003 NCAA steeplechase title and setting another collegiate record. She placed second twice in the U.S. championships.

Courtney (Pugmire) Meldrum, a Californian, won two U.S. championships and the U.S. junior (19-and-under) championships in the steeplechase. Unfortunately for her, she had her best years before the steeplechase was included in NCAA competition.

McAdams, a former standout prep wrestler from Ohio, won the 2006 NCAA championship, the 2007 and 2009 U.S. championships, the 2007 Pan Am Games and represented the U.S. in the 2008 Olympic Games. He will compete in the trials of the world championships on Sunday.