PROVO, Utah – BYU track and field athletes won 20 events in the first meet of the season this weekend at the 2015 BYU Cougar Collegiate Indoor Invitational at the Smith Fieldhouse.

“I think it was a very successful meet coming off vacation," BYU head coach Ed Eyestone said. "We’ve been back in school and practicing for only a week. To have a good opportunity at home in front of parents, friends, family and roommates, I think our team did very well on both the men’s and women’s side.”

Meet results

On the men’s side, standouts included Jackson Walker, Shaquille Walker and Sean Adams. Walker won the heptathlon with 5,237 points—good for seventh-best heptathlon score in BYU men’s track and field history.

“Coming in, I was just hoping to get solid marks throughout the meet,” Walker said. "Coming off knee surgery in October, that threw off my training a little bit, but I worked hard to get back and felt good and healthy today. I know I have room for improvement in all my events, and it’s exciting to know I haven’t peaked yet.”

Shaquille Walker’s winning time of 1:01.05 in the 500 meters came within one second of the collegiate record.

“He (Walker) ran a very good time,” Eyestone said. “I think big things are in store for him in both the 400 and 800 meters."

Adams claimed first place in the 300 meters with a time of 34.08.

“I had high expectations,” Adams said. “Given that we haven’t done a lot of speed work and it’s the first meet of the season, I’m pleased. My goal is to run at nationals.”

Zachary Blackham (high jump), Bejon Bryant (60-meter hurdles), Steve Flint (3000 meters), Jonathan Harper (mile), Craig Merkley (weight throw), Blake Steeves (triple jump), Zachary Stetler (shot put) and Tatenda Tsumba (long jump) also won events for the Cougars. The men’s 4x400-meter relay team also took first place.

The BYU women also had a strong meet—taking home victory in eight events.

"In particular, Angela Shields was the first collegiate runner to finish the 300 meters," Eyestone said. "Diamond Thomas’ victory in the 60 meters was a nice performance and this is her first indoor season with us, so that was nice to see. Alyssa Monteverde-Dalton, coming off an ACL surgery last season, had a nice win in the 60-meter hurdles."

"I didn’t know what to expect," Diamond Thomas said. "The nerves were there, but in trusting our training and our coaches, everything went smoothly."

Thomas' time in the 60 meters of 7.75 was a personal record and something she hopes to improve on next week.

“It’s not quite where I want to be so I’m going to continue to work hard and get that 7.6 next week," Thomas said.

Shields also recorded personal bests in the 60-meter hurdle finals with a time of 9.19 and in the 300 meters with a time of 40.31.

“It’s a good confidence boost," Shields said. "It feels good to come out this strong already. Hopefully I can keep getting better.”

Other first place finishers for the Cougars were Erin Murphy (pentathlon), Bryn Rohner (mile), Emily Bever (800 meters), Emily Allen (3000 meters), Elisa Machen (pole vault), and Margaret Appiah (high jump).

The track and field team will travel to Idaho for the Boise State Ed Jacoby Invitational on Jan.16-17. 

PROVO, Utah – BYU men’s and women’s track and field opens the 2015 indoor season this weekend hosting the BYU Cougar Collegiate Invitational in the Smith Fieldhouse.

“This first home meet is always a great opportunity because everybody on the team will have a chance to compete here,” BYU head coach Ed Eyestone said. “Roommates, family and friends will be able to come and watch the athletes perform. Regardless of if they’re racing in uniform, or running unattached to try to make the traveling squad, it’s a great opportunity for them to see where they’re at.”

The women’s pentathlon and men’s heptathlon highlight the first day of events beginning Friday, at 12 p.m. MST. The field events will also take place starting at noon and conclude shortly after 5 p.m.

On Saturday the meet’s first event is scheduled for 10 a.m. with the last event beginning at 4:30 p.m. Most track events take place on Saturday.

On the men’s side, Eyestone highlighted Braydon Bringhurst and Shaquille Walker as athletes to keep an eye on.

“Braydon Bringhurst is vaulting very well,” Eyestone said. “He has some high goals for himself. He’s going to do some amazing things.”

Bringhurst qualified for indoor nationals last season in the pole vault and hopes to return to nationals this season.

“Shaquille Walker has probably been the highlight in terms of guys running fast and looking really good,” Eyestone said. “His main event is the 800-meters, but he’ll also be a strong performer in in the 4X400-meter relay.”

For the women, Eyestone has high expectations for Nicole Laws and Anginae Monteverde.

"Nicole had an amazing freshman year and hopefully she’ll build on that,” Eyestone said. “She’s been healthy and looking good. Anginae did a great job during our intra-squad meet in December. I’m looking forward to some good things from her.”

Angela Shields, a top returning sprinter, will be one to watch as she competes in the 60-meter hurdles, 300-meters, and 4x400-meter relay.

“I think we can expect great things from both men’s and women’s,” Shields said. “We have a lot of returners and everyone is really excited. We’re stronger, faster, and in better shape than last year.”

The complete schedule of events can be found on the event info page on BYUCougars.com.

Results will be posted throughout Friday and Saturday on RunnerCard.com.