A repeat champion from UVSC and several top finishes for BYU highlighted the final day of the competition at the 2008 Robison Track Invitational in Provo.

Evidently, when it comes to short-distance races, UVSC sprinter Mariama Salifu was the best of the best.

Having claimed last year's titles in the 100- and 200-meter dashes, Salifu came into the day looking to repeat as champion in each of the events.

The Ghana native wasted no time in her quest for a repeat, using a quick start in the 100 to blow past the field and win with a blistering time of 11.75.

"That was my personal best this season," Salifu said of the victory. "I just pushed it really hard and started nice from the beginning."

Salifu, who plans to compete for Ghana at this year's Olympics in Beijing, knew she would need to match her performance in the 200 later in the day if she was going to repeat as a double winner.

"I'll just need to get a nice quick start, hold it out on the straightaway and push it hard to the end again," said Salifu of the upcoming race.

Salifu's plan worked perfectly, as she exploded out of the blocks and created a good lead over her opponents before crossing the finish line at 24.41.

"Mariama has always been a good athlete," said BYU coach Craig Poole. "She can definitely be proud of herself as a double winner today."

Salifu wasn't the only athlete with an outstanding day, as 14 Cougars posted regional qualifying marks. BYU had several top finishers on the women's side, including an impressive come-from-behind win by Amy Fowler-Layne in the women's 3,000 steeplechase.

With Sojourners' Mary Schauerhamer holding a comfortable lead over Layne heading into the water jump, the Cougar was ready to make her move on the final leg of the race.

"I knew I just had to keep it close and would try to get her on the last 100 meters," Layne said.

However, Layne didn't need to wait until then. Hurdling over the water jump, Schauerhamer caught her toe on the bar and faceplanted in the water, giving Layne the opening she needed.

"I saw her go down in the water," Layne said, "and knew I had to just go because she would get up and give me a good kick down the finish."

Layne seized the opportunity and cleared the obstacle without fault, sprinting to a 10:40.26 victory, a regional qualifying mark.

Though she had already qualified for regionals earlier in the year, Ashley McAllister also posted a regtional qualifying mark with a jump of 12-7.5 in the pole vault.

Things were just as competitive on the men's side, as several Cougars had superb runs in the finals.

The men's 3,000 steeplechase had the Cougars' pawprints all over it, as the top three places were claimed by BYU runners.

Junior Derek Taylor claimed the top prize in the event with an impressive time of 9:05.92. His teammates, senior Chandler Goodwin (9:08.65) and sophomore Ryan Merriman (9:14.47) finished just behind him in second and third place, respectively. All three times were regional qualifiers for the BYU runners.

The trio weren't the only Cougars who saw success in the long distance runs, as junior Keith Jensen put together a phenomenal race in the men's 800.

Trailing for much of the first lap, Jensen began to make his move on the field in the final 400 meters.

"The pace was definitely set early and so that gave me something to put my eyes on and get after," Jensen said.

Sensing it was time to make a move, Jensen blew past the other runners on the final leg and held off Brian Weirich (unattached) down the stretch to hit the line at 1:50.93.

"It was a good race," Jensen added. "It's always good to defend the place and win on your home track."

In the men's pole vault, the Cougars had four regional qualifying efforts. BYU senior Matt Weirich led the way by clearing 17-4.5. Three other Cougars -- Whitney Neves, Bob Low and Chris Little -- also posted qualifying marks in the event. Leif Arrhenius qualified for regionals in the hammer throw with a toss of 189.