(MSUB Athletics release)
BILLINGS – The Great Northwest Athletic Conference has named Montana State University Billings senior Mark Hovland conference player of the week for his performance in distance running at the Bobcat Preview last weekend in Bozeman, Montana.
Hovland (Billings, Montana) is fresh off cross country season, where he ran five races for the Yellowjackets. In the mile run on Saturday afternoon, Hovland posted a second place time of 4:34.43, finishing behind only Noah Adams of Division I University of Montana by two seconds.
“Mark had a good opening meet and it’s definitely the best I have ever seen him run in December for the mile,” commented head coach Jon Woehl. “He picked up right where he left off with cross country last month and I’m excited to see him progress the rest of the indoor season.”
In 2016-17, Hovland ran the 800 meters and mile while teaming up for the 4×400 meter and distance relays. He clocked a season best 1:59.89 in the 800 meters while finishing fourth at the Yellowjacket/Battlin’ Bear Open. Hovland also took home first in the 800 at the 2017 Conglomerate with a time of 2:02.35 and helped the ‘Jackets earn a pair of second place finishes in the 4×400 and the DMR at the Mountain State Games.
Last season he placed 10th in the GNAC in the 1,500 meter with a collegiate best time of 4:00.13 and also ran the 800 and 4×400 meter relay during the season.
After a successful season opener at the Bobcat Preview last weekend, MSU Billings track and field have the remainder of December off but will resume the indoor schedule in the MSU Open on January 11 in Bozeman, Montana.
Hovland and Zack Rollins (men’s basketball) both won GNAC player of the week awards on December 3, marking the first time in 2018-19 two MSUB athletes have won the award for the same week.
