LOCKWOOD, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings track and field program competed for the second consecutive weekend locally, hosting a number of teams at Lockwood High School where MSUB had a number of standout performances.
 
"Even with the smaller squads because of the break, our team made the most of a beautiful day," said Yellowjacket's coach Jonathan Woehl. "We had a number of personal records and solid finishes; were very happy we were able to add this to our schedule.
 
The Yellowjackets had multiple top finishers on the day. Senior Kailee Stoppel was one of two athletes who competed in the women's 5000m, and finished in first, setting a new PR of 18:28.44. Meanwhile, freshman Bella Klein finished in first place for the 400, clocking in a new PR of 1:01.67. Klein also set a PR in the 200m, where she finished in second with a time of 27.75.
 
For the Yellowjacket men, Kevin Graves was the top finisher in the 800m, running a 2:05.97, four seconds faster than the next best finisher. He was joined by fellow freshman Isaac Perkins, who's hammer throw of 48.50m (159' 1") was the top throw at the meet.
 
Behind them, MSUB had many other athletes who made improvements on previous marks. Madison Thompson set her PR in the 200m, knocking a full second off her previous time with a mark of 27.45. Thompson also finished second in the 100m with a time of 13.05, and had a season best in the long jump with a leap of 5.15m (16' 10.75"). Annelise Clark set a PR in the 400m hurdles, running a time of 1:10.54. Clark also set a PR with a time of 18.81 in the 100m hurdles. Grace Jones continued an excellent season by setting a new PR in the shot put, where her throw of 12.11m (39' 8.75") was good enough for second place. Lucas Harper finished second in the long jump with a season best of 6.00m (19' 8.25"), and Cort Sandefur led all MSUB men's throwers in the discus, setting a PR of 41.01m (134' 6") and landing in third place.
 
THE BUZZ:

• Stoppel was selected as the St. Vincent Healthcare Athlete of the Meet for the women's team, while Perkins was chosen for the men.
• Madeline Severson finished second place in the high jump, clearing 1.46m (4' 9.5") and finishing second.
• Jaida Green was fourth in the shot put, inching close to matching her PR with a mark of 11.62m (38' 1.5").
• Danara Tulimaiau set a PR in the discus throw, landing a mark of 33.29m (109' 3").
• William Ullery ran a 11.39 in the 100m, finishing fifth and setting a PR.
• Also setting a PR in the 100m was Jonny Rocha, who finished in 11.75. Rocha also ran the 400m for the first time in his MSUB career.
• Brandon Geck's 48.65m (159' 7") mark in the javelin was good enough for fourth place and edged the season high he set the previous week.

 
UP NEXT: MSUB returns to action next week at the Bryan Clay Invitational hosted by Azusa Pacific University. The tournament is scheduled to take place at Cougar Athletic Stadium in Azusa, California on April 13-14.