Results
SPEARFISH, S.D. – There were five events won, five new school records and two Great Northwest Athletic Conference automatic qualifying marks reached by the Montana State Billings men's and women's track team's Saturday afternoon at the Yellow Jacket Open hosted by Black Hills State.
“We had a very strong showing this weekend,” said head coach Dave Coppock. “Our kids responded great after having such a long layoff between today's meet and their previous meet near the beginning of December. Erika (Halle) and Whitney (Mickelsen) looked very strong in their races and Ryan Blomback and Chase Robinson had an impressive race in the 800 meters. We have to continue to improve and consistently post competitive times.”
Erika Halle (Manhattan, MT) posted the top qualifying time in her preliminary race for the 60 meter run, posting a 8.24, and although her time in the finals was just a split second slower (8.25), Halle won the event by 0.05 seconds over Ana Andric who ran unattached.
Whitney Mickelson (Sevier, UT) was the big winner of the day for the Yellowjackets, posting two victories during the meet. She first won the 3000 meter, setting a new school record with a time of 11:09.03, just 0.68 seconds ahead of Leigh Anne Whiteside of Black Hills. Mickelsen's second victory came in the 800 meter run, finishing four seconds ahead of Brooke Wells from Black Hills with a 2:28.83.
Two other school records fell in field events for the Jackets. Stacey Pitt (Kalispell, MT) broke the previous high jump record with a best jump of 1.59 meters, taking second place in the event. Lexi Halvorson (Billings, MT) had the other school mark in the weight throw, tossing 13.70 meters for a fifth place finish. Anica Knispel had a GNAC automatic mark in the shot put with a throw of 12.55 meters for a third place finish.
On the men's side, Ryan Blomback (Belgrade, MT) had a great win in the 800 meter run in a very close finish with teammate Chase Robinson (Colstrip, MT). Both runners came off the final turn neck and neck, but Blomback edged Robinson, running a 2:03.28, while Robinson posted a 2:03.30.
Brian Potter (Manhattan, MT) set a new school mark in the mile run with a fourth place finish and a time of 4:32.38. The final school record and GNAC automatic qualifying mark was set by Tanner Rottrup (Billings, MT) in the shot put. His throw of 14.50 meters placed him third in the event.
The final highlight of the day for the Yellowjackets came in the 4x400 meter relay. The team of Lewis Polkow, Reece Easterling, Shawn Skelton and Logan Mossey won the event with a 3:40.54 over the MSUB 'B' team of Jake Iverson, Blomback, Shae Stein and Drew Galahan.
The Yellowjackets will continue their pursuit of faster times and longer distances next weekend in Bozeman, Mont., at the Montana State University Open next Saturday, Jan. 21.
