BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings Yellowjackets track and field team will travel to take part in the Snake River Open hosted by Idaho State University this Friday and Saturday. The meet will mark the second for the team but first of 2020 after returning to completion following the holiday break.
 
With only one meet under their belts, the 'Jackets will look for improvement as the season goes and the Snake river open provides just the chance especially in the track events. Tough competition awaits as most of the Division one Big Sky Conference schools are expected to be in attendance as ISU is hosting the Big Sky Indoor championships.  
 
"I am looking forward to getting back with the team and getting back to competing," said head coach Jonathan Woehl. "It will be a good chance to pick up where they left off in December. Anything in the 200 and up will be a quicker bank track and hopefully we see some faster times then a normal flat track. I hoping for improvement across the board and everyone is ready to go."
 
A full slate of events over two days should provide valuable experience, improved performance and entertainment for all in attendance. MSUB will be competing in 20 different events on the weekend.

The women will be led by Brenna Beckett. In the Bobcat Open, Beckett took home a fifth place finish while competing in the triple jump with a bound of 10.70m. Her personal best is 11.22m at Dickinson Sate in May of 2019. She will also be competing in the long jump and 200m dash.
 
Madison Thompson will be participating in the 200m dash, long jump and will be the lone 'Jacket in the 60m dash. Her personal best in the 60m dash is 8.33.
 
Nikki Aiken will head up the distance runners for MSUB taking her talents into the one mile run and 3,000m run. Her personal best in the one mile is 5:38.30 and will be joined by Kailee Stoppel in the 3,000m run.
 
Sierra Durbin and Miranda Livingston will be competing in the 800m run. Durbin's best is 2:25.63 and Livingston's is 2:35.87.
 
Cristina Chapi, Hannah Heath, Brynn Jolma and Mariah May will all be competing in the shot put and weight throw for MSUB. May was the top finisher for MSUB at the bobcat preview with an 11.31m throw in the shot put and a personal best 13.66m weight throw good enough for sixth place.