BISMARCK, N.D. – The Montana State University Billings track and field program returned to action in the indoor season at the Marauders Indoor Opener in Bismarck Saturday, setting the tone for the rest of their slate with quality finishes across the board.
 
Highlighting the top finishes for the Yellowjackets were a pair of big finishes in the high jump. Favor Okere opened the meet with a bang, collecting a huge PR with a best jump of 1.98m (6' 6"). The senior's jump was more than enough to finish in first place at the meet, while tying for the third best mark in the GNAC this season. Following Okere's performance, it would be Hannah Cooper's turn to impress, with the sophomore setting a new school record in the indoor high jump with a leap of 1.63m (5' 4.25"). The record gives Cooper control of both MSUB's indoor and outdoor high jump school records, while tying for the fourth best mark in the conference this season. Cooper finished second in the high jump at the meet, along with another second-place finish in the weight throw, where she earned a mark of 15.68m (51' 5.5").
 
Behind Cooper, there were a handful of quality finishes and results for other members of the MSUB women's team. Jaida Green, who previously broke the MSUB weight throw record in the 'Jackets last meet of 2024, finished right behind Cooper in third place for the weight throw, achieving a best mark of 15.04m (49' 4.25"). Madeline Severson clocked a second-place finish in the 800m, finishing in 2:25.19, while also collecting a third-place finish in the high jump with a leap of 1.53m (5' .25"). Mya Richardson finished in third place in the 200m with a time of 26.97, while finishing in eighth place for the 60m, running an 8.14 in the prelims and 8.17 in the finals. Cecily Eagleton finished fourth in the 3000m with a time of 11:29.29, leading a pack of four Yellowjackets in the event. Toree Manning collected a PR in the 3000m with a time of 12:04.92, while Chloe Shennum set a new PR in the mile with a mark of 5:50.08.
 
On the men's side, Payton Kokot also made an impact in the jumps, finishing in third place in the high jump behind Okere with a mark of 1.90m (6' 2.75") to set a new PR. Kokot would then go on to finish in second place in the long jump, bounding 6.88m (22' 7"). Mason Dezember finished in third in the 200m with a time of 22.93, finishing just ahead of Ben Ralston, whose 23.00 mark was good enough to finish fifth place. Ralston was also the 'Jackets fastest runner in the 60m, completing the event in a time of 7.13. Meanwhile, Lennon Davis collected a second-place finish in the 800m with a time of 2:08.08, and Ryan Fenley collected a season-best mark in the high jump with a jump of 1.75m (5' 8.75"). Rounding out the top performances for MSUB was the throws, where Isaac Perkins finished fifth in the weight throw with a mark of 14.57m (47' 9.75") and had a season best mark with his sixth place finish in the shot put, throwing a best of 14.09m (46' 2.75"). Cort Sandefur rounded out the PRs for the 'Jackets in the meet with his mark of 13.31m (43' 8") in the shot put.
 
THE BUZZ: Cooper was selected as the Intermountain Health Athlete of the Meet for the women, while Okere was selected as Athlete of the Meet for the men.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets are back in action again next week in Spearfish, South Dakota, where they will participate in the Myrle Hanson Open, hosted by Black Hills State at the Donald E. Young Center.