(Editor's note: MSUB Athletics release)
BILLINGS -- Adding to his list of recruits for the 2021-22 academic year on Monday, Montana State University Billings men’s and women’s track and field head coach Jonathan Woehl has announced the signing of four female athletes.
The additions bring MSUB's total number of women's track and field recruits for next year to six.
Faith Ekness | Event: Throws | Hometown: Shepherd, Montana | Previous School: Shepherd High School
A multi-sport standout at Shepherd High School, Ekness’s primary talent was in the throws arena where she was a four-year letterwinner. In addition to a successful career in track and field, Ekness played four years of volleyball and two seasons of basketball during her prep years.
Coach Woehl on Ekness: “We are happy to have another Shepherd High School thrower joining our program, following Brady (Ostermiller) and Taylor (Stringari). She’ll work hard in and out of the classroom. We are looking forward to having her join other new women’s throwers Dakota (Lobmeyer) and Riley (Noser). They’ll do great things.”
Ekness on choosing MSUB: “I am beyond grateful for this amazing opportunity to participate and compete for the MSUB women’s track and field program. I have wanted to throw at the college level for my entire high school career. I participated in a track and field camp at MSUB, and fell in love with the coaching and players that helped me grow my love of throwing and bettering myself. After the camp, I knew I wanted to be part of this amazing program, and I am now happy to say my dream has come true. I am truly blessed with the support from my parents and coaches along the way. I’m looking forward to becoming a Yellowjacket.”
Whitney Herden | Events: Sprints/Hurdles | Hometown: Belfry, Montana | Previous School: Belfry High School
Like Ekness, Herden is a multi-sport athlete at Belfry High School, captaining both the track and field and volleyball teams. Herden has developed a specialty in the hurdles during her prep career, and figures to compete as a long sprinter and on MSUB’s relay teams. In addition to her track career, Herden played setter in volleyball and point guard for two years on the basketball team. She was in the National Honor Society as well.
Coach Woehl on Herden: “Whitney is a multi-sport athlete and has a ton of potential to improve in the hurdle and sprint events. Additionally, she’s an outstanding student, and we are looking forward to getting to coach her next fall.”
Herden on choosing MSUB: “I chose MSUB as my college because it has the best program for me for the career choice I have. MSUB is close to me and the size of the classes will reflect closer to my high school classes. When I have visited MSUB I have always loved the residence halls and the facility. Going to MSUB allows me to stay close to home and get the education I want. I started doing dual credits in high school and I like the education I have received from those classes. I have always pictured myself going to MSUB and even with other options, I found MSUB to be the best fit for me and my goals.”
Riley Noser | Event: Throws | Hometown: Glasgow, Montana | Previous School: Glasgow High School
Noser will further add to the Yellowjackets’ depth in the throws department, after being a two-time divisional champion and two-time all-state selection for the Scotties. Noser twice placed at the state championships during her successful prep career. In addition to track and field, Noser was a four-year letterwinner as a forward on the basketball team, and three-year letterwinner as a middle hitter on the volleyball team.
Coach Woehl on Noser: “Riley is a hardworking student and athlete, and I’m looking forward to her joining an already strong group of throwers. With her new teammates and coaches, she’ll do great.”
Noser on choosing MSUB: “MSUB was the perfect fit for me. I fell in love with the campus and the academic programs they have to offer. The coaches and staff were awesome to meet. I really like their program and appreciated how dedicated they were to their athletes. I am super excited to continue my education and track and field career at MSUB.”
Madeline Severson | Events: Sprints/Jumps | Hometown: Manhattan, Montana | Previous School: Manhattan High School
A versatile athlete, Severson figures to bolster the Yellowjacket roster in both the sprints and jumps. A four-year star on the Manhattan track team, Severson earned all-state honors both her freshman and sophomore seasons in track and all-state in her senior fall season in cross country. Her personal best marks include 5-1 feet in the high jump and 1:02.09 minutes in the 400 meters.
Severson also competed in basketball for four seasons playing as a guard, and ran cross country for one fall for the Tigers. In the classroom, she is a four-time academic all-state selection.
Coach Woehl on Severson: “Madeline is a great addition to our sprint and jump crew. She is very hardworking and I like that she is not afraid to step out of her comfort zone like last fall when she ran cross country. I am excited to get to work with her on continuing to improve in the high jump and sprints.”
Severson on choosing MSUB: “I chose MSU Billings because it is a good fit for me and they have the major I want to pursue. The coaching staff and the team create a very welcoming environment and I am excited that I am able to continue competing in track and field here.”
