Yellowjackets Hit GNAC Qualifying Marks at Missoula

Men's Results

Women's Results

MISSOULA, Mont. –  Montana State Billings open the 2009 outdoor track season on a high note at the Al Manuel Invitational Saturday.  The Yellowjackets had one automatic and 16 provisional marks for the GNAC Championships.  On top of that, there were four school records broken and 31 additions to the top 10 list.  MSUB will head to Glendive, Mont., to compete in the Dickinson State Invitational, Friday, Apr. 10.

For the women, Alexi Halvorson led the way with a toss of 126-5 in the discus.  Not only is that a GNAC automatic qualifying mark, it is the best toss in the conference this season.  The Jackets had 11 GNAC provisional qualifiers, broke three school records and had 15 additions to the Top 10 list.

Two of the school records that fell had stood for over 25 years.  Lisa Minnehan ran 19:22.87 to break the mark of 20:11.80 held for 27 years by Peg Havolick.  Cassie Holm ran the fifth fastest 100M hurdle time in the GNAC at 15.60.  That broke the record of 16:09 set in 1980 by four time national qualifier, Valerine Perrine.  The third record of the day came when Halvorson broke her own record in the hammer with a toss of 125-7.

Justine Simons finished among the top 10 in the 100 (12.89) and 200 (26.87)M dashes.  In the 100 she was the first Yellowjacket since 1980 to break 13 seconds and she missed the school record in the 200 by 14/100th of a second.  Whitney Mickelson ran the third fastest 1500 in school history at 5:13.70, missing the record by less than two seconds.

For the men, there were five GNAC provisional marks, 16 additions to the top 10 and one school record.  Matt Roseberry made his debut for the Jackets in grand fashion setting the school record in the 800 at 2:03.20.  The old mark had been 2:04.97 set by Richie Pemberton last year.

In the shot put, Kyle Richards had a PR of 43-6.50.  That broke his previous best by over three feet and was five inches short of the GNAC automatic mark.  Recording the second fastest marks in school history were Jade Haynie (Hammer) and Daniel Lombardi (1500).

“Overall, I’m very pleased with our performance,” said head coach Dave Coppock.  “I was concerned about how we would do, having not run in almost seven weeks.  Alexi struggled in indoors with a shoulder injury but came up strong with two GNAC qualifying marks.  Nick Kesler had a great race in placing third in the 100.  I thought our sprinters did a fine job.  It’s nice to get a meet in and I look forward to our development as the season progresses.”

GNAC Top 10 Marks – Apr. 4, 2009

MEN

1600M Relay
5.         3:38.17

400M Hurdles
8.         James Hopkins – 59.86

Discus
10.       Kyle Richards – 129-2

Javelin
10.       Jade Haynie – 153-0

Shot Put
10.       Kyle Richards – 43-6.50

WOMEN

Discus
1.         Alexi Halvorson – 126-5
9.         Hillary Gourneau – 109-2
10.       Kelsee Clark – 98-7

100M Hurdles
5.         Cassie Holm – 15.60

400M Relay
5.         50.10

Shot Put
8.         Kacie Vanderloos – 34-2.25
10.       Hillary Gourneau – 32-9.75

100
9.         Justine Simons – 12.89

100
9.         Justine Simons – 26.87

5000
10.       Lisa Minnehan – 19:22.87

GNAC Qualifiers

AUTOMATIC

WOMEN

Discus – Alexi Halvorson

PROVISIONAL

MEN

100M Dash – Nick Kesler
Discus – Jade Haynie, Kyle Richards
Hammer – Jade Haynie
Shot Put – Kyle Richards

WOMEN

100M Dash – Britney Derhak, Justine Simons
200M Dash – Justine Simons
400M Dash – Erika Halle, Malori Woodford
5000 – Lisa Minnehan
100M Hurdles – Cassie Holm
Discus – Kelsee Clark, Alexi Halvorson, Hillary Gourneau
Hammer – Alexi Halvorson
Long Jump – Erika Halle
Shot Put – Kacie Vanderloos