Cougars compete at USA National and Junior Championships

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Five current and two former BYU track and field athletes competed at the USA Track and Field National and Junior Outdoor Championships June 22-25 at Sacramento State’s Hornet Stadium.

The USATF National Outdoor Championships is a nationally televised track and field competition featuring the top athletes from across the nation. It allows American athletes the opportunity to compete against the best on USA soil.

Junior Abraham Alvarado had an outstanding performance at the event. He placed ninth out of 33 in the first round of the 800-meter race to advance to the semifinals. In the semifinals the following day, he dominated his heat, coming in first at 1:46.62, a new personal best. On the final day of competition, Alvarado finished seventh in the final.

Former BYU athletes Shea Collinsworth and Shaquille Walker both qualified for the semifinals in the 800-meter race. As a result, all current and former BYU athletes participating in the 800-meter race advanced beyond the first round. Collinsworth placed second out of 30 athletes in the first round with a time of 2:02.82. Walker finished second in his heat at 1:48.35. Neither advanced to the finals.

Scott Mecham and Korey Smith both represented BYU in the 400-meter hurdles. Mecham finished with a time of 51.23 and Smith crossed the line at 52.70.

Two BYU athletes competed in the USATF Junior Outdoor Championships, reserved for those under the age of 20.

Sophomore Anna Camp finished second in her heat with a time of 2:08.18, a new PR that qualified her to advance to the next round.

Following his first year competing for the Cougars, freshman Rickey Fantroy Jr. came in sixth place in the triple jump. Fantroy jumped 14.68m (48’2”).