(MSU Billings release)
MISSOULA – Sam Zook took home winning times in both the men’s 100 and 200 meter dash events, highlighting a positive performance by the track and field teams of Montana State University Billings in the University of Montana Open at Dornblaser Field on Saturday. Zook ran a season best 10.84 seconds in the 100 meter dash to edge out Kip Krebsbach (10.95) and Alex Mustard (10.96) of Montana. Zook then ran 200 meters in 21.61 seconds, ahead of Montana’s Cade Johnstone (21.65) and Paul Johnstone (22.03).
The Yellowjackets competed against players from Montana, Montana State, Carroll College, Rocky Mountain College, and Providence and posted several notable performances. Isaiah Girard matched his season best high jump equaling 2.05 meters and finished first, ahead of Ridge Albright of Montana (1.85 meters). Brenna Becket then won the women’s 400 meter dash, with a time of 1:00.16 while Beau Peaslee cultivated a season best javelin score of 52.90 meters. He finished third in the event.
“Overall, I felt we had good marks this week,” commented head coach Jon Woehl. “We didn’t have perfect weather but it was nice to get out and compete. We are in a stretch of tough training for all our athletes so I was happy everyone continued to improve, even if they were slightly fatigued.”
STEEPLECHASE: After a mediocre start in the 3000 meter steeplechase this spring, Nikki Aiken lifted to a second place finish in the event in Missoula, posting a season best time, 11:46.44. Teammate Kailee Stoppel also improved her steeplechase time to 12:51.20 and finished third.
DISTANCE: In the men’s 5000 meter run, Ivan Colmenero led the ‘Jackets and finished fifth in 15:55.36. Ronald Venema was eighth with a time of 16:11.38 and Logan Straus came across 12th at 16:19.96.
Ase Ackerman finished his first 3000 steeplechase of the spring with a second place time of 10:34.07 and Brady Ostermiller ended third in shotput after a finals mark at 14.98 meters.
THROWERS: Steinbeisser posted a 10th place discus mark of 35.10 meters, up from 35.05 last week in Laurel and 33.06 meters in Spearfish two weeks ago. Abbie Lohof (ninth place) and Taylor Stringari (11th place) also participated in discus, as well as shot put and hammer throw with Hannah Nessan.
“Women’s disc stayed pretty consistent with our previous marks,” said Woehl. “Same thing in shot put. I was happy Hailey Steinbeisser was able to do well for us in discus throw.”
JUMPERS: In women’s triple jump, Shaniah Schwend took fourth with a finals mark equaling 10.73 meters. Janessa Williams came in seventh of nine in the same event.
MSU Billings entered two teams in the women’s 4×400 meter relay. Sierra Durbin, Josie Smiedala, Stoppel, and Beckett have become a customary grouping and they finished third in 4:21.47.
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets are in Bozeman on Saturday, April 20 to participate in the MSUB Open. It will be the fifth straight weekend of competition for the team as they begin to inch closer to the GNAC outdoor championships, set for May 10-11 in Monmouth, Oregon.
“Next week we should have some good marks,” Woehl said. “We will be back in Bozeman which will be a familiar setting and I know our team is really looking forward to it.”
THE BUZZ: Sam Zook was named St. Vincent Healthcare player of the meet for the MSUB Billings men’s track and field team. Brenna Beckett earned the distinction for women’s track and field.
