Relay team breaks decades-long record at BYU Invitational
May 14, 2024 08:37AM ● By Liisa London Mecham
Morgan’s hurdlers gather before their 300m race at BYU.
Last weekend in Provo, the Trojans attended the 114th BYU Invitational, “the longest-running and most prestigious track and field invitational in the Intermountain West.” Senior Brogan Garrett brought home a second-place finish in the 400m race and the 4x400 relay with members, Brogan Garrett, Tucker Giles, Maverick Guymon and Kenny Whitmer earning third place. Garret broke his own school record in the 400m (48.05) and competed in the 100m (11.14) and 200m (21.80) races as well. The 4x400 team broke a 24-year-old school record with their time in the relay (3:22.07)
Morgan had several other athletes who qualified for the meet and set PRs. In the past, the meet included two divisions: one for smaller schools and another for larger schools. This year all athletes competed against each other making for some very tough competition. There were no pre-set qualifying marks for each event. The top entries by seed mark in each event qualified, and there were pre-set numbers allowed in each event.
Over 132 schools and 3,278 athletes from around the Intermountain West competed in the two-day event. The Utah 6A-1A State Track Meets will be held at BYU, and the invitational is a great opportunity for athletes to compete on the track and in the field venues to prepare for competition at state.
In the individual 400m race, Garrett placed second (48.05) to Maple Mountain’s Banks Jackson (47.39). Garrett’s time broke his own school record of 48.40 that was set a few weeks ago at the Davis Invitational.
In the 4x400 relay, Brogan Garrett, Tucker Giles, Maverick Guymon, and Kenny Whittmer raced to a third-place finish in 3:22.07. The first-place team, Corner Canyon, broke the 2017 state record that was held by Syracuse High (3:16.19) by almost a second (3:15.24). Timpview placed second (3:19.32).
The Trojans’ Abby Titus placed 9th in the high jump, just out of the medals. She cleared 5’1” at the meet.
In the boys’ high jump, Kenny Whitmer cleared 6’1” to place 14th while eight boys hurdlers qualified for the BYU Invitation on time, a huge accomplishment. Seven of the eight PRed at BYU. Tucker Giles was Morgan’s top finisher in the hurdles at 14th in the 300m (39.69). Giles also took 14th in the 800m (1:55.47).
Three girls reached state qualifying marks at BYU. Sara Wilkinson in the 100 m hurdles, and Brier Gailey and Kendall Peterson in the 200m.
Assistant Coach Michelle Wilkinson noted, “I’m so proud of all of the kids, and the PRs they hit. It’s great to see them improve!”
Morgan will host the Region 13 Track Championships Thursday and Friday, May 9-10. The top four finishers along with any athletes who have qualified on time or mark will advance to the 3A State Track Meet at BYU May 17-18.λ
