Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
SALT LAKE CITY — The final step toward historic Hayward Field and the NCAA outdoor track and field championships commenced this past weekend.
With more than 100 Utah track and field athletes competing in the NCAA West preliminary in Fayetteville, Arkansas — led by 52 from BYU — plenty of competition for qualifying spots featured in-state battles.
The Cougars totaled 16 qualifying bids for the NCAA championships in Eugene, Oregon, in two weeks. The University of Utah had three individuals and a relay team from its women's program (the Utes discontinued men's track and field in 2005), while Southern Utah, Utah State and Weber State each had one bid.
Of the group, four will come from the 3,000-meter steeplechase — including BYU's James Corrigan and Wyatt Haughton that continue a trend for one of the top steeplechase programs nationally.
A year ago, Corrigan missed the national meet in the 5,000-meter run by a half-second but finished first in his heat with a time of 8 minutes, 38.81 seconds to fly into Eugene for the first time in his career.
"I'm super excited to move on to nationals," Corrigan said. "Last year, I missed out by half a second, so this year I was happy to be in a situation where I didn't have to guess if I was making it. It feels good to be in contention for the win consistently and I'm gaining the confidence I need for the next race."
Southern Utah's Hayden Harward was sixth in 9:40.42, and Haughton was 10th in 8:47.89. BYU freshman Taylor Lovell also added a women's steeplechase bid, finishing third in her heat and fourth overall at the regional in 10:01.03 to punch her ticket.
Corrigan with the kick!
— BYU Track & Field/Cross Country (@BYUTFXC) May 24, 2024
With a time of 8:38.81, Corrigan punches his ticket to nattys in the steeplechase!
📺 ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/KM2KxOVaLt
Weber State's Josh Trafny became the first Wildcat javelin thrower to qualify for nationals since 1998, recording a throw of 226-0 in Wednesday's opening round.
There were also plenty of close calls, like Southern Utah sprinter Jaedyn Carpenter. The redshirt freshman finished fourth in his flight and 27th overall in the 400 meter with a time of 46.30 seconds — less than a tenth of a second short of qualifying for the national meet.
Or Utah Valley's 4x100-meter relay team of Caleb Furnell, Cameron Frankllin, Kade Thompson and Gabriel Remy, the Western Athletic Conference champions that finished sixth in their regional heat and 14th overall in 39.59 seconds — missing a qualifying berth by two spots.
Here's a look at qualifiers from around the state after the three-day regionals.
SCHOOL RECORD ✅
— BYU Track & Field/Cross Country (@BYUTFXC) May 25, 2024
NATTYS TICKET ✅ pic.twitter.com/eNAfwMAamO
BYU
Men's track and field
- Cameron Bates, javelin
- Danny Bryant, shot put
- Dallin Shurts, discus
- Sebastian Fernandez, 800M
- James Corrigan, 3000M steeplechase
- Wyatt Haughton, 3000M steeplechase
- Aidan Troutner, 5000M
- Eliz Hazlett, Abram Schaap, Jace Jensen, Trey Jackson; 4x100M relay
Women's track and field
- Jenna Hutchins, 10000M
- Rebekah Erikson, pole vault
- Gretchen Hoekstre, discus
- Cierra Tidwell Allphin, high jump
- Riley Chamberlain, 1500M
- Taylor Lovell, 3000M steeplechase
- Jaslyn Gardner, 100M
- Sadie Sargent, 5000M
WOAH THAT WAS FAST 👀
— BYU Track & Field/Cross Country (@BYUTFXC) May 25, 2024
Gardner takes first in her heat, securing her ticket to nattys with the third fastest time of the day and a new all-conditions best of 11.00 in the 100M!
📺 ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/2pynO5fXSH
Southern Utah
Men's track and field
- Hayden Harward, 3000M steeplechase
Utah
Women's track and field
- Erin Vringer, 1500M
- Josefine Eriksen, 800M
- Harley Daniel, 400M hurdles
- Ally Gomm, Josefine Eriksen, Harley Daniel, Bailey Kealamakia; 4x400M relay
The Utah 4x400m relay team punches its ticket to the #ncaatf championships for the first time in program history with a school-record breaking run of 3⃣:3⃣2⃣.6⃣0⃣!!
— Utah T&F/XC (@Utah_trackfield) May 26, 2024
SLC ✈️ EUG#GoUtes | #UtahTFXCpic.twitter.com/grI4Vdxc5N
Utah State
Men's track and field
- Logan Hammer, pole vault
Weber State
Men's track and field
- Josh Trafny, javelin
NCAA BOUND!
— Weber State Track (@WeberStateTrack) May 22, 2024
Weber State's Josh Trafny is headed to the NCAA Championships! He qualified by finishing 12th in the javelin in the NCAA West Region! 👏#WeAreWeberpic.twitter.com/uf1Auysezj
![modal](https://img.ksl.com/slc/2548/254870/25487033.jpg)