BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings track and field teams collected a number of strong finishes in the team's second home meet in as many weeks, with the Yellowjackets finishing with the highest team scores on both the men's and women's sides of the MSUB/RMC Open.
 
Competing primarily against crosstown rival Rocky Mountain College, the Yellowjackets would narrowly outscore the Battlin' Bears on both sides, with the men outscoring Rocky 168-164, and the women outscoring Rocky 116-106. In total, MSUB would finish first in 12 different events, evenly splitting six first place finishes across both genders, with both Mya Richardson and Ben Ralston topping both the 100m and 200m at the meet. The meet would also mark a celebration of MSUB's eight graduating student-athletes, who were recognized mid meet.
 
Richardson, the reigning GNAC Track Athlete of the Week, would improve on both of her PR times set in the 100m and 200m, and continue to climb the record books at MSUB. Her 12.43 time in the 100m ranks fourth in the 100m in program history, while her 200m time of 25.69 bumped her up all the way to second all-time for the 'Jackets. Finishing first at the meet in both events, Richardson now ranks seventh in the conference in both events. Meanwhile, the senior Ralston would likewise set PRs in both events, running a 10.91 second 100m and a 21.89 second 200m. His 100m time would improve upon his already fifth fastest time in MSUB history, while in the 200m Ralston would climb to the second fastest mark in MSUB history. Ralston now ranks inside the top ten in the conference this season for times in both events. Ralston would also compete on the men's 4x400 relay team for the 'Jackets, who would finish first with a time of 3:40.48.
 
Continuing for the men's team, JayCee Herbert wouldn't run far behind Ralston, finishing second in the 200m with a season-best time of 21.89, and third in the 100m with a time of 11.01. MSUB would see a handful of PRs behind him in the 200m, with Kaleb Scott, Ryen Sanders, Brock Grossman, and Tyler Grenier all achieving career best times in the event. Herbert, Scott, and Grossman would all also join Ralston on the 4x400 team which took first place. Lennon Davis would finish third in the 800m with a time of 2:14.10, with Will Hyatt behind him in fourth with a time of 2:23.54. Wyatt May would pace the 'Jackets in the 5000m with a time of 16:34.70, with Hyatt finishing with a season-best mark of 17:05.27 in fourth place. Isaac Perkins would open the meet by winning the hammer throw, tossing a best of 47.93m (157' 3"), while Cort Sandefur would PR behind him in third with a throw of 46.43m (152' 4"). Perkins would also finish fourth in the shot put with a best of 13.18m (43' 3"), one spot behind Kody Biggs, who threw a 13.26m (43' 6"). Rounding out the throws for MSUB was Braydon Tucker, whose mark of 41.91m (137' 6") was second best in the javelin. In the jumps, MSUB would collect a pair of first place finishes, with Payton Kokot winning the high jump with a season-best mark of 1.85m (6' .75"), and Goodness Okere winning the triple jump with a mark of 12.41m (40' 8.75").
 
For the women's team, Katelyn Hammill would set season bests right behind Richardson in both the 100m and 200m, finishing second with times of 13.01 and 26.76 respectively. Then the Yellowjackets would claim first place finishes in the 400m, with Bella Klein topping the list with a time of 1:01.65, and the 800m, with Madeline Severson running a season-best 2:25.51. Cecily Eagleton would finish in first in the 500m with a time of 19:35.12, with Gabi Becker finishing in third behind her, setting a new PR with a time of 19:49.17. The throws would see Mattea McColly finish in fifth in the discus with a best mark of 29.39m (96' 5"), while Isa Caballero would lead all Yellowjacket finishers in the hammer throw with a mark of 38.76m (127' 2"). Caballero would also set her new PR in the javelin at the meet, setting a mark of 31.83m (104' 5"). Jaida Green would grab a fourth-place finish in the shot put with a mark of 10.88m (35' 8.5"). Finally, Alyssa Sanchez would lead the Yellowjackets efforts in the jumps, finishing third in the long jump with a mark of 4.83m (15' 10.25") before taking first in the triple jump with a mark of 10.06m (33' .25").
 
THE BUZZ: Richardson and Ralston were both named the Intermountain Health Athletes of the Meet for their performances.
 
UP NEXT: MSUB rounds out it's home meets for the spring next week, taking part in the Yellowjacket Open hosted at Lockwood High School on Saturday, March 29. Live coverage for all of MSUB's meets can be found online here for the women, and here for the men.