(Editor's note: MSUB Athletics release)
BILLINGS - Competing in just one indoor meet was enough to earn the Montana State University Billings track and field program 20 all-region honors, announced by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association on Thursday.
Ten awards on the women’s side and 10 on the men’s side highlighted the Yellowjackets’ lone indoor meet, which was on Feb. 19-20 at Black Hills State University. “It was fun to get out there and compete finally,” said MSUB head coach Jonathan Woehl. “It was a good starting point and we are looking forward to continuing our improvement in the outdoor season.”
Kailee Stoppel highlighted the list for MSUB, earning all-region honors in the mile, 3,000-meters, and the distance medley relay. Stoppel’s time of 5:33.15 minutes in the mile at the Stinger Open was her collegiate personal best.
The Yellowjackets’ other multiple award winner on the women’s side was Joleen Pollat, who earned all-region in both the weight throw and shot put. Making her collegiate debut, Pollat had marks of 38-6.75 feet in the shot put and 43-3 feet in the weight throw. Pollat’s mark in the shot put was the ninth-best on the MSUB all-time performance list.
Joining Stoppel in earning honors for their performance on the distance medley relay team were Sierra Durbin, Marley Glessner, and Ally Whitmer. That foursome posted a time of 13:24.14 minutes and finished in fifth place at the meet.
Kaitlin Mason earned all-region with a time of 8.55 seconds in the 60-meters, while freshman Kendall Lynn earned all-region in the triple jump with a leap of 33-9.5 feet in her collegiate debut.
On the men’s side, Payden Lynn and Logan Straus highlighted the list with selection in multiple events. Lynn earned the award in both the triple jump and long jump in his MSUB debut, while Straus claimed all-region in the 3,000-meters and as part of the distance medley relay team. Straus’s time of 9:02.56 minutes in the 3,000-meters was his collegiate personal best.
Jackson Bailey, Carson Jessop, and Nick Redgrave each also ran a leg of the DMR to claim all-region status as well. Bryant Edgerton earned all-region with a time of 17:25.04 minutes in the 5k, while MSUB newcomers Garrett McMillen and Bryce Olson each earned all-region in the triple jump.
A total of 1,311 athletes from 99 different schools earned the USTFCCCA all-region honor for the indoor season. To earn all-region, an athlete must be one of the top-5 individuals in their event within their respective region. Each member of a region’s top-3 relay team was selected as well.
MSUB’s track and field teams begin the 2021 outdoor season on March 20, hosting a meet at Lockwood High School.
