BILLINGS, Mont. – After an encouraging meet in Bozeman last weekend, the men's and women's track and field teams at Montana State University Billings head to Nebraska Sunday to compete in the Chadron State College Open and will face all Division II opponents indoors for the first time this season. Other teams expected to participate on Sunday are Chadron State, South Dakota School of Mines, Colorado School of Mines, Black Hills State, and Metro State Denver.
 
2018 All-American sprinter Sam Zook is expected to make the trip to Chadron State after a minor injury held him out of competition in Bozeman last weekend. Zook broke the MSUB-record in the 60-meter dash last year with a time of 6.78 seconds at the Bobcat Preview in Bozeman, Montana. He is also the school record holder for the 200 meter event with a time of 21.65 seconds at the Colorado Invitational.
 
"Sam is going to be competing for us in the 60 meters this week," commented head coach John Woehl. "I'm excited to see him run. Training has gone pretty well over the summer and fall so I expect him to do well."
 
Kaelen Shay is also among the field of men's sprinters. Shay posted a personal best 6.94 seconds in the 60 meter dash at the Montana State Open last weekend and ran 23.12 seconds in the 200 meter event.
 
"Kaelen had been running around the 7.10 second range leading up to last week and then blew right by 7.00 in Bozeman," said Woehl. "It is going to be fun to see what he can do at Chadron State."
 
Mason Schram, Kyle Patelis, Beau Ackerman, and Lucas Harper ran the 60 meters for the men in the MSU Open. That group along with Kyle McLaughlin and Rahkei Eyer took part in the 200 meter dash. Eyer, McLaughlin, and Drake Henson will likely hold down middle distance positions at Chadron State after Henson won the 800 meter run last weekend with a time of 2 minutes flat.  
 
For women's short and middle distance, Anne Lore Chevalier leads off for the 'Jackets. Chevalier finished fourth in Bozeman in the 60 meter dash. Not far behind was Michaela Johnson, Madison Thompson, Brooke Johnson, and Kaitlin Mason. Mylia Metzenberg joined the above group for the 200 meter dash.
 
The women's 800 meter run features Sierra Durbin, Miranda Livingston, and Rachel Hiner, all of whom ran cross country in the fall.
 
Coach Woehl assessed the team's performance at the MSU Open. "I thought our meet Friday went pretty well given it was the first time competing since December 1. There were a lot of improved marks from the meet in December or close to marks from December so in assessing our training, the results were in line with what we expected to happen. We've had a full two weeks of training leading into this weekend and a lighter week for the sprinters so hopefully they will be fresh going in."
 
Men's weight throw was a notable strong performance for the Yellowjackets last weekend. Forrest Cross turned in a second place throw of 15.28 meters. Right behind were Beau Peaslee (3^rd, 14.92m), and Brady Ostermiller (4^th, 14.62).
 
"Throwers I thought did really well last week," commented Woehl. "The men's weight throwers got things moving in the right direction right away this year. Forrest set his personal record by over two meters. Beau set a personal best as well even though he is still tweaking a couple of things with technique and footwork. As Beau continues to perfect his form, he should really make marked improvement."
 
Hannah Nessan was the top female finisher in weight throw with an 8^th place finish in Bozeman, having thrown a distance of 13.54 meters.
 
Women's jumpers include Jamie Orme, Shaniah Schwend, and Breanna Beckett. Shotput is held in place by Nessan, Hailey Steinbeisser, Taylor Stringari, and Abbie Lohof. For the men, jumpers will likely be Isaiah Girard, Ty Stanton, Lucas Harper, Beau Ackerman, and Marcus Lindquist. In shotput, the Yellowjackets will look to Ostermiller, Cross, and Matthew Poore.
 
Mark Hovland and Logan Straus ran solid mile times last weekend in Bozeman. They will likely have Tyus Mendoza, Ivan Colemenero, and Ase Ackerman available as well for the men's 3000 meter run. Women's distance runners include Kailee Stoppel (mile) and Nikki Aiken (3000 meters). Aiken was third last week in the 3000 meter race with a time of 11:09.89.
 
The Chadron State College Open is scheduled for Sunday, January 20. Field events begin at 10 a.m. Running events start at 11 a.m. All events will be located inside of Nelson Physical Activity Center (NPAC).
 
Field Events
 
10:00am              Shot Put (M/W)
                            Pole Vault (M/W)
                            Long Jump (W/M)
                            High Jump (M/W)
                            Weight Throw (M/W) Follows completion of Shot Put
                            Triple Jump (W/M) Follows completion of Long Jump
 
Running Events
Rolling Schedule
 
11:00am              Women 60m HH Prelims
                            Men 60m HH Prelims
                            Women 60m Dash Prelims
                            Men 60m Dash Prelims
                            Women 1 Mile Run Finals
                            Men 1 Mile Run Finals
                            Women 400m Dash Finals
                            Men 400m Dash Finals
                            Women 60m HH Finals
                            Men 60m HH Finals
                            Women 60m Dash Finals
                            Men 60m Dash Finals
                            Women 800m Dash Finals
                            Men 800m Dash Finals
                            Women 200m Dash Finals
                            Men 200m Dash Finals
                            Women 3k Run Finals
                            Men 3k Run Finals
                            Women 4x400m Relay Finals
                            Men 4x400m Relay Finals