Women’s DMR Squad Clocks Fastest Time in NCAA

SEATTLE – The BYU women’s track and field distance medley relay team finished with an NCAA-leading time of 11:03.62 at the UW Preview in Seattle, Washington.

UW Preview Final Results
Weber State Indoor Invitational Final Results

UW Preview

The relay squad included Olivia Hoj Simister (1200m), Alena Ellsworth (400m), Lauren Ellsworth-Barnes (800m) and Courtney Wayment (1600m). The Cougars are now in a solid position to qualify for the 2021 NCAA Indoor Championships in the event, compared to the times needed to qualify in years past.

With the DMR taking place on Friday, all four members of the squad competed in individual events on the second day of competition. Wayment and Hoj Simister both had career-best times in the women’s mile to move up the BYU Top 10 board. Wayment ran the fourth-fastest mile in school history with a time of 4:35.80 and Hoj Simister finished with the fifth-fastest mile with a time of 4:37.77.

Kate Hunter (4:41.18), Simone Plourde (4:42.85) and Heather Hanson (4:42.85) also had strong performances as they made their season debuts in the mile. In the women’s 800m, Claire Seymour was the first collegiate runner to finish with a time of 2:07.15.

Weber State Indoor Invitational

Zach McWhorter broke the Stromberg Arena facility record with a clearance of 5.50m/18-0.25 in the men’s pole vault. The feat adds to what has been an impressive start to the season for the sophomore All-American. He currently holds the third-best mark in the NCAA this season (5.56m/18-2.75) and has cleared at least 5.50m/18-0.25 in all three meets this year.

In the women’s pole vault, Hannah Richardson cleared a season-best 3.95m/12-11.5 to win the event. Teammate Isabel Neal took second with a mark of 3.85m/12-7.5.

Danny Bryant and Austin Carter went 1-2 in the men’s shot put with marks of 15.32m/50-3.25 and 15.19m/49-10, respectively.

Sable Lohmeier El-Bakri took second in the women’s weight throw with a toss of 16.74m/54-11.25 while Jessica Thompson placed third with a career-best 16.56m/54-4. Thompson also finished third in the shot put with a toss of 13.35m/43-9.75.

The Cougars will return home to host the BYU Cougar Indoor Invitational II Feb. 4-6, at the Smith Fieldhouse.