BYU Experiences New York City In Style

By Andrea Prusik for ArmoryTrack.com

NEW YORK (8-Feb) -- When athletes from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, travel to compete at the Armory Collegiate Invitational each winter, the team aims to take in the whole New York City experience. While away from The New Balance Track & Field Center at The Armory, BYU spends their time enjoying the best New York has to offer. 

On Thursday, athletes and coaches from BYU attended a taping of the Late Show with David Letterman, where they were in for a special treat. While talking to British actor Patrick Stewart, the subject turned to track and field and Letterman gave a special shout out to the Cougars in attendance. The team briefly appeared on nation television. 

“We felt like celebrities,” said junior hurdler and sprinter Allysa Hansen. 

For Hansen, who grew up in Salt Lake City, the trip to New York is always special. This is the second year she has raced at the Armory Collegiate Invitational. 

“This is a different experience from any other meet,” said Hansen, who noted that she particularly enjoys being around great athletes and having fun competing on one of track and field's biggest stages. 

In her two trips to New York City for the Armory Collegiate Invitational, Hansen has visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim Museum, and has seen four Broadway shows. She's also tried some of the city's fine cuisine. 

“I love the street vendor foods,” she said. 

Junior distance runner Conner Peloquin has had a similar experience, as the 2014 Armory Collegiate Invitational marks his second time racing at The Armory. Although he grew up in Seattle, Peloquin is no stranger to New York, with members of his family living on Long Island. 

For Peloquin, highlights of his trips to the Big Apple included stops at the Empire State Building and a special pre-race dinner at Carmine's Family Style Italian Restaurant. He's also visited the September 11 Memorial. 

“It’s so much fun because it’s so different,” said Peloquin of the city. “New York City really is a melting pot.”

With each trip to New York City and The Armory, memories are made both on the track, in the field, and throughout the city.

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You can watch a video interview with Allysa Hansen and Conner Peloquin here.