Track Teams Improve at Georgia Tech

ATLANTA – Several athletes on the BYU men’s and women’s track and field teams improved their marks at the Georgia Tech Invitational on Friday and Saturday.

For the second time this season junior Nachelle Mackie ran one of the top times in the nation in the 800 meters. Mackie finished in 2:02.49, the second-fastest time run by a collegian this season. Mackie ran the fastest time by a collegian at the Mt. SAC Relays when she finished in 2:01.11.

Javelin thrower Amber F. Huntington was one of two Cougars to win an event on Georgia Tech. Huntington recorded a season-best throw of 47.31m (155-02) to take the win. Allyson Anderson finished second to Huntington with a throw of 45.73m (150-00).

Senior Christen Guenther was the other female BYU athlete to take home an event win. Guenther won the pole vault with a jump of 4.03m (13-2.50). Rachel Fisher also cleared the height but in more attempts to finish second.

Nicole Naatjes claimed third in the event by clearing 3.93m (12-10.75).

In the high jump, freshman Lexi Eaton finished third with a jump of 1.76m (5-9.25). Teammate Diana Blauer jumped 1.71m (5-7.25) to finish fourth.

On the men’s side, senior Miles Batty was the lone Cougar to win an event with a 1:49.43 finish in the 800m. Ryan Waite finished just behind Batty in 1:49.48 to take second.

Both Cade Lindahl and Chris Carter also had strong performances on the track. Lindahl finished seventh in the 400m in 46.54 and Carter finished 11th in the 400m hurdles in 53.10. Neither athlete lost to any collegiate competitors.

Lindahl and Carter teamed with Steven Hart and Shaquille Walker in the 4x400m. The team finished second in a season-best time of 3:08.10.

In the field, Kyle Baker nabbed a second place finish in the javelin with a toss of 66.08m (216-09). Keith Keller and Blaine Baker finished third and fourth in the event, respectively.

Victor Weirich and Brayden Bringhurst each cleared 5.20m (17-00.25) in the pole vault. Colby Barber finished second in the shot put with a throw of 16.87m (55-04.25).

The Cougar track teams will have a week off before competing at the NCAA West Regional beginning on May 24.

Complete results from the Georgia Tech Invitational are available at deltatiming.com.