BOZEMAN, Mont. – Making its full indoor track season debut for the first time since 2020, the Montana State University Billings indoor track team had a solid showing at the Bobcat Challenge, held at Montana State on Friday.
 
"Overall, I'm happy with how the meet went," MSUB head track coach Jonathan Woehl said. "There were a lot of solid marks for the first meet of the season. There are definitely a lot of things we're going to work on and do better at for next week, but I can't wait for Black Hills."
 
Although there was not a team score at the meet, the 'Jackets had a slew of solid season-opening performances across all disciplines. Junior distance runner Kailee Stoppel set personal bests in personal bests in the mile (5:31.52) and the 800 meters (2:24.72) – the latter of which she won. Sophomore Kendall Lynn won the triple jump with a 36-00.75 (10.99m) marl that was not only nearly a three-foot improvement from her lone indoor attempt last season, but also good for second all-time at MSUB.
 
"Kailee had a very impressive double with her mile and her win in the 800," Woehl said.
 
The Yellowjackets' only other win came courtesy of Garrett McMillen, who was uncontested in the men's triple jump and jumped a 41-7 (12.67m). McMillen was 3.5 inches away from eclipsing his personal best set at MSUB's lone indoor meet last season.
 
Aside from wins, Ase Ackerman ended up on the doorstep of the NCAA DII provisional mile mark after placing fourth, setting a new indoor personal best and moved up to fourth all-time at MSUB with a 4:22.01. After starting out towards the back half of the pack, Ackerman moved up over the course of the eight laps and had just enough in the tank to hold off Montana State's Rob McManus down the homestretch.
 
In the previous heat, Logan Straus and Carson Jessop went 1-2 with a 4:30.30 and a 4:39.53, respectively. These times were eighth and tenth overall.
 
"Ase, Logan and Carson all had solid races in the mile, and Ase is at the doorstep of hitting the NCAA provisional mark in the mile after the first meet," Woehl said.
 
In the throwing circle, Brynn Jolma highlighted a day in which each thrower focused on only one event. Jolma was MSUB's top finisher in the weight throw, placing sixth with a throw of 44-2.5 (13.47m). This was a new personal best for her; Friday also marked her return to MSUB this year after playing a season of basketball at Dawson Community College.
 
"Brynn had huge PR in weight," Woehl said. "It's great to have her back this year. There were solid starts by all our freshman in throws, sprints, jumps and distance."
 
For the men, Braden Anderson was MSUB's top shot put placer, finishing in fifth behind a trio of Montana State throwers and an unattached athlete with a throw of 41-8.75 (12.72m). Coen Guisti also finished fifth in the weight throw with a heave of 44-2.75 (13.48m).
 
THE RUNDOWN

• Junior distance runner Kailee Stoppel was named St. Vincent Healthcare Athlete of the Meet for her PRs in the mile (5:31.52) and for running a new personal best of 2:24.72 to win the 800 meters.
• Fellow junior distance runner Ase Ackerman was the St. Vincent Healthcare Athlete of the Meet for
• Freshman sprinter William Ullery was MSUB's top finisher in both the 60-meter (7.25, good to win his heat and place fifth overall) and the 200-meter dashes (23.47, second).
• Over in the 400 meters, freshman Benjamin Ralston won his heat, edging out the field with a 53.10 that placed fourth overall.
• Making her return to the track for the first time since redshirting last year, Madison Thompson placed fifth in the long jump with a 16-3.25 (4.96m) mark, then followed that up by leading MSUB in the 60-meter dash with a 8.38. Woehl commended her performances afterwards, saying she picked up right where she left off.

 
UP NEXT: The 'Jackets return to Black Hills State – the site of their lone indoor meet last season – for the Dave Little Mile on Jan. 21-22. A start time and an order of events has not been released at this time.