Cougars Finish Second with Great Performance in New York

NEW YORK -- The BYU women’s track team proved why they rank No. 3 in the country this weekend with a strong second place team finish at the New Balance Invitational in New York City.

“This was an outstanding meet for our team,” women’s head coach Craig Poole said. “Our entire coaching staff is very pleased with our overall performance. Every part of our team contributed this weekend, and it was one of the best meets of the year.”

Senior Mindy McClurkin headlined the Cougar team, as she placed third in the 200-meters (23.80) and led a strong comeback in the 4x200-meter relay to earn a first place finish in 1:38.64. These accolades, along with her long jump (6.44m) victory yesterday, earned McClurkin Athlete of the Meet honors.

Also contributing first place points to the BYU team total was sophomore All-American Lacey Cramer, who won her second 800-meter race in as many weeks. Cramer finished the race in 2:05.33, and was followed closely by teammates Angela Wagner in fourth (2:07.14) and Nachelle Stewart in fifth (2:08.38).

Another victory for the Cougars came in the 4x800-meter relay, featuring freshman Michelanne Laurent, Ashlee Thomas, Nicole Clark and freshman Lisa Drury. The team won the event in 8:47.76.

BYU also found success the field events, with sophomore Ada Robinson placing third in the high jump at 1.78-meters. Senior Tipaleli Fotu also contributed, as she finished fourth in the weight throw with a distance of 18.17-meters.

The Cougars led the meet in team points until the final event of the day, when defending national champion Texas A&M took the lead by two points after a third place finish in the 4x400-meter relay.

“Any time you are up there competing with teams like Texas A&M for the win, you know you are in a good place,” Poole said. “We were right there in the lead until the last event, but A&M won with class and did very well.”

The No. 3 ranked Cougars will continue their season next weekend in their last meet before the MWC Championships, with a split team heading to the Air Force Open in Colorado Springs and the Husky Invitational in Seattle, Washington.