Yellowjackets Set to Compete in the Montana Open

BILLINGS, Mont. –  Montana State Billings is looking to qualify more athletes for the GNAC Championships on Saturday, Apr. 18.  MSUB will head to Missoula to compete in the Montana Open.  Scheduled to compete are Gonzaga, Montana and Montana State.  The meet is scheduled to start at 10:00 a.m.

After just two meets, the Yellowjackets have been making an impact.  A total of five school records have been set as well as 40 additions to the school Top 10 list.  MSUB has had two automatic and 16 provisional qualifiers for the GNAC Championships.

Alexi Halvorson has automatically qualified in the discus with a NCAA Championship Provisional toss of 142-10.  That is the best mark in the conference and is currently 14th best in the country.  Justine Simons has automatically qualified for the GNAC Championships with a time of 25.88 in the 200M dash.

“I’m expecting big things this weekend,” said head coach Dave Coppock.  “Every meet we keep getting better and better.  Our performances are linked to the competition we are facing.  Running against NCAA Division I schools has really pushed us to perform at the best of our abilities.  I think our female sprinters are ready for a breakthrough meet.  Our throwers get better each week.  I think Kyle Richards could have a strong performance in the shot put.”

GNAC Qualifiers

AUTOMATIC

WOMEN

Discus – Alexi Halvorson
200M Dash – Justine Simons

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