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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Host New Mexico, ranked No. 22 nationally, got off to a sizzling start at the Mountain West Conference women's gold championships, firing a 6-over 298 as a team to take a nine-stroke lead over BYU after the first day of action Thursday at the University of New Mexico Championship Course.
The 30th-ranked Cougars, led by Natalia Jimenez's 1-over 74, came in at 307. Jimenez is tied for third with New Mexico's Britney Choy. The Lobos' Jodi Ewart leads the individual race with a 1-under 72.
Other BYU scores were Daphne Vines 77, Jade Bollinger and Ashley Childers 78 and Juli Erekson 79.
UNLV is third, just one shot back of BYU at 308. The Rebels' Therese Koelbaek is in second place in the medalist race with an even-par 73. Wyoming is fourth at 319 and Jonelle Martinez is also tied for third at 74. No. 17 TCU and Colorado State are tied for fifth at 324, with San Diego Statee seventh at 326.
• Rugby: At Albuquerque, N.M., BYU begins its playoff campaign today at 1:30 p.m. as the Cougars take on Dartmouth College in the opening round of the USA Rugby Collegiate Playoffs.
The Cougars have never played the Big Green of Dartmouth, but BYU head coach David Smyth is looking forward to an exciting match.
Dartmouth finished second in the Northeast Rugby Union and comes into the USA Rugby's playoffs as the 15th seed of 16 teams.
"We haven't played in a few weeks, but we've put a good amount of work in on the practice field," Smyth said, "I'm sure Dartmouth will come in well prepared with [Dartmouth head coach] Alex Magleby leading them along. So it will be an interesting match for both of us to see what happens."
Should the Cougars win their opening round match against Dartmouth, BYU will look forward to a second round fixture with San Diego State or Arkansas State.
• Track: At Walnut, Calif., BYU freshman Curtis Carr won his heat of the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the Mt. San Antonio College Relays on Thursday.
With a regional qualifying time of 8:57.40, Carr nabbed his second victory of the season after winning his heat of the steeplechase at the Stanford Invitational two weeks ago.
"Another standout performance by Curtis Carr," said BYU men's distance coach Ed Eyestone. "The race started a little slow, so he just took it to them and had a 10- to 20-meter gap for most of the race. It's nice when you have a freshman who can step up and run like that."
BYU senior Jenna Jensen and freshman Anna Sperry ran season bests in their respective events. Jensen ran a 17:13.42 in the 5,000m and Sperry clocked a 4:38.10 in the 1,500m.
Competition will continue today, starting with the hammer throw, and conclude with the men's invitational 10,000m. |
