The Bulls Invitational proved to be a strong showing at home for the men’s and women’s Track and Field teams Friday. The Invitational was the last home competition for the Bulls this season.

“This was a great chance to showcase our athletes off at home. To show off at home is always nice,” coach Warren Bye said.

Taylar Stallings continues to do well, and took first in the women’s hammer throw with a distance of 54 meters.

“We have some great athletes,” Bye said. “Taylar Stallings, Denise (Von Eynatten), Lou’Tisha (Hall), Courtney LaCroix, Tyler Perkins. They all compete at high levels and do well. They help push their teammates.”

Freshman All-American Von Eynatten finished first in the women’s pole vaulting with a height of 4.25 meters. Stephanie Duffy placed second with a height 3.95 meters.

“Denise is doing very well. It’s great to have an All-American,” Bye said.

Michael Kursteiner – who is fifth on the USF all-time list for high jump – matched his best of 2.10 meters in the high jump to take first place.

Tyler Perkins won the men’s discus throw with a distance of 51.93 meters, which qualifies him for the NCAA Regionals.

Josh Wimbley won both the 400-meter dash and the 200-meter dash.

The men and women also swept many of the track events, winning 15 of 21 events.

“Our field events have always been strong, but we’re working on improving our track events,” Bye said. “We want to be good all around. That is something we are improving now. Some schools have just one or the other. We are building on being good all around.”

This is Bye’s first full season as head coach of both the men’s and women’s teams. He served as the interim head coach last season after two years of being an assistant coach on the staff of former head coach Greg Thiel.

The Bulls will take nine NCAA Regional qualifiers and 34 Big East qualifiers with them as they travel to El Paso, Texas, on March 29 for the UTEP Invitational. The Bulls also travel to the UCLA and LSU invitational meets in April. They will compete in the Big East Outdoor Championships May 2 to 4 in Philadelphia to round out the season.