Current, former Cougars earn spots in U.S. steeplechase finals
Courtesy BYU Athletics
Current and former members of the BYU track team are competing in the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials at Hayward Stadium in Eugene, Ore.Lexi Halladay-Lowry and Courtney Wayment are competing with the country’s best at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials.
Halladay-Lowry, a current BYU track athlete, and Wayment, a former Cougar, both qualified Monday for the finals of 3,000-meter steeplechase in Eugene, Ore.
Halladay-Lowry finished fourth in her heat in a time of 9:27.36, which ended up being the fourth fastest time in the qualifying round. Two pros, Gabbi Jennings (9:23.88) and Marisa Howard (9:26.38) finished ahead of Halladay-Lowry.
Wayment was third in the second heat at 9:29.66, crossing the finish line nearly even with pros Kaylee Mitchell (9:29.54) and Valerie Constien (9:29.61). Wayment’s time was eighth among the 14 athletes who qualified for Thursday’s finals.
Former BYU standout Whittni Morgan, who is running for addidas, finished fifth in the 5,000-meter finals by running a season-best time of 15:05.53. Ellie St. Pierre won the race in 14:40.34.
Current Cougar Cierra Tidwell-Allphin finished ninth in the high jump trials. She cleared 6-foot on her third attempt but missed three times at 6-2 and was eliminated from the finals.
The BYU men had one competitor on Monday: Riley Hunt in the 110-meter hurdles. Hunt ran a time of 13.98 in heat No. 2 and finished in 32nd place.
The trials take the next two days off before continuing competition on Thursday. For the men, Sebastian Fernandez (800 meters), Dallin Shurts (discus) and Casey Clinger (5,000 meters) will be in action. Riley Chamberlain will compete on the women’s side with qualifying in the 1,500 meters.
