BYU’s Cutting advances to quarterfinals in 1,500 meters
Courtesy BYU Athletics
BYU's Carter Cutting finished first in his first round 1,500-meter heat at the NCAA Outdoor West Regionals in Fayetteville, Ark., on Wednesday, May 27, 2026.FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Carter Cutting took first overall in the 1500m Wednesday afternoon at the NCAA West Regional meet to advance to the quarterfinal race on Friday May 29.
The junior won his heat in 3:39.63 in the fastest overall time in the event to secure his spot in the quarterfinal race. The Wilsonville, Oregon product adds another victorious performance to his resume that already includes an NCAA indoor National championship in the mile as well as a Big 12 1500m outdoor title this season.
Cutting is ranked 11th nationally in the event and will appear in the quarterfinal race in the evening of Friday, May 29.
Garrett Copelin appeared in two events at the meet finishing 32nd in 13.96 seconds in the 110-meter hurdles and 34th in 51.43 seconds in the 400-meter hurdles. He was joined in the 400m contest by Treyton Anderson, Jayden Jessee and Logan Hubler. Hubler crossed the line in 51.83 to take 39th overall. Anderson finished 44th in 53.01 seconds with Jessee just behind him in 53.82 to take 46th.
Brayden Packard took 42nd in the 800-meter coming across the line in 1:49.95.
On Wednesday evening Hunter Kitchen took 19th in the 10,000-meter in 29:21.67 just ahead of Creed Thompson who crossed the line in 29:24.49 to finish 22nd overall. Dalton Mortensen and Davin Thompson also made appearances finishing 43rd and 46th respectively.
Carson Riner finished 18th in the javelin throw recording a mark of 65.82m/215-11 with teammate Brinton Paulson throwing for a season-best mark of 65.46m/214-9 to finish 19th.
Silas Zimmerman competes in the rescheduled pole vault on Thursday, May 28 at 1:40 p.m. MST. The rest of the Cougars finish out the NCAA West Regionals on Friday, May 29. Streaming is available on ESPN+.
The BYU women’s track team is aiming to earn national championship spots at the NCAA West Preliminary Round at John McDonnell Field in Fayetteville, Arkansas, on May 28 and 30.
The top 12 placing athletes and relays in each event at both the West and East Preliminary Rounds will compose the field of 24 that will compete at the NCAA Championships from June 10-13 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.
BYU will send 33 qualifiers to the regional meet, highlighted by four qualifiers each in the 800-meter and 3000m steeplechase.
