EUGENE, Ore.-Thursday, two BYU track and field standouts were named as All-Americans for their heroics Day 2 of the NCAA Track and Field championships at Hayward Field.
Kevin Nielsen, the men’s decathlon star, was named to the team, along with women’s thrower Ashton Riner.
Nielsen concluded his collegiate career by placing 8th overall in the men’s decathlon, amassing a career-best 7,695 points in the 10 events, earning 1st team All-American status for himself.
His score also ranks fifth best in school annals. Wednesday, Nielsen posted season bests in all his events and Thursday, he netted career bests in the javelin (166-1 feet) and a season-best in the 1500-meter run (4:28.70).
The Granite Bay, Calif. native was honored by Cougars head coach Ed Eyestone, saying “what a fine way for Kevin to end his college career.”
Riner, a freshman out of Connell, Wash., was named as a second-team All-American after finishing 11th in the javelin final with a toss of 164-10 and earlier in the season posted the second-best throw in Cougars track and field history in the event with a toss of 171 feet.
The Cougars still have a presence at the meet as Friday, Matt Owens and Clayson Shumway will compete in the men’s 3000-meter steeplechase with teammates Rory Linkletter, Connor McMillan and Clayton Young competing in the men’s 5000-meter final.
