MSU NCAA Regionals Notebook
5/30/2008 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field
Montana State track and field coach Dale Kennedy has seen a lot in the 30-plus years of coaching, but nothing like he experienced on Thursday night.
With a dozen Bobcats in Lincoln, Nebr., for the 2008 NCAA Midwest Regional Championships, Kennedy and his squad lived through a tornado watch in eastern Nebraska. The storm tore apart the community of Kearney but traveled on a northeastern path that skirted Lincoln.
"We got rain and a pretty good lightning storm," Kennedy said of his first experience with a tornado, which reigns as an annual threat in 'Tornado Alley' stretching from Texas to Minnesota. "We didn't get any of the severe winds. I never have been (near a tornado). That's one of those things we knew was a possibility last week when I saw all that weather in the Midwest."
Kennedy said the aftermath provides mostly decent weather for this weekend's meet. "It should be mid-80s here today, but it's humid," Kennedy said. "That's something none of our kids have really experienced."
* * * * *
Junior sprinter Dan Johnson begins his chase of history this weekend. The Livingston native begins his trek to become the first Big Sky student-athlete to score in the 400 in an NCAA Championships meet.
The first leg of that quest, Kennedy said, begins in some esteemed company. "Dan runs in heat two of the 400 (today)," Kennedy said. "The big gun is (Quentin Iglehart-Summers) from Baylor, he's one of the better 400 meter kids in the country. This is an absolutely loaded region for the 400. The good news for Dan is that Dan has the opportunity to run with great competition and move his time into the top 25 (nationally). If he takes advantage, he could advance (to the NCAA Championships)."
The winners of each heat and the next four fastest times advance to Saturday's 400 m finals. The top five in each event from each regional moves on to the NCAA Championships, along with athletes holding the next six or seven best marks from over the course of the season in that event.
* * * * *
In her senior season, Kim Berg is battling a foot injury sustained while winning her fourth Big Sky javelin championship. The senior from Kremlin competes Saturday, and Kennedy said her Thursday workout was positive. "She's not 100%, that's for sure," Kennedy said. "I'm hoping this doesn't hold her back and she's able to have a great meet, but the big thing is that she competes. If she is able to compete she still has a good chance of advancing (to the NCAA meet) because of her standing nationally."
MSU IN THIS WEEKEND'S SCHEDULE
Friday, 12 noon: Women’s Hammer (trials & finals) - Allison Jones.
Friday, 12 noon: Men’s Javelin (trials & finals) - Dustin Degen, Taylor Hensen, Nick Lam, Dan van Swearingen.
Friday, 3:20 pm: Men’s 400 (prelims) - Dan Johnson.
Saturday, 12 noon Men’s Hammer (trials & finals) - Nathan Palmer.
Saturday, 12 noon: Women’s Javelin (trials & finals) - Kim Berg, Lena Suek, Emily Tyrrell.
Saturday, 4 pm: Women’s Shot Put (trials & finals) - Allison Jones, Kris Schaffer.
BOBCATS IN THE REGIONAL AND NATIONAL RANKINGS
* Allison Jones (HT), so., Harlowton, MT: 8th Midwest Region, 46th NCAA
* Nathan Palmer (HT), sr., Helena, MT: 9th, 68th
* Kim Berg (Jav), sr., Kremlin, MT: 10th, 23rd
* Nick Lam (Jav), so., Billings, MT: 10th, 30th
* Dan Johnson (400), jr., Livingston, MT: 13th, 41st
* Kris Schaffer (SP), so., Pierre, SD: 15th, 48th
* Lena Suek (Jav), fr., Havre, MT: 18th, 68th
* Emily Tyrrell (Jav), fr., Grand Forks, ND: 16th, 57th
* Dan van Swearingen (Jav), jr., Great Falls, MT: 21st, 68th
* Taylor Hensen (Jav), sr., Deer Lodge, MT: 23rd, 84th
* Allison Jones (SP), so., Harlowton, MT: 25th, 112th
* Dustin Degen (Jav), jr., Missoula, MT: 28th, 100th
BOBCAT CAPSULES & OUTDOOR RESUMES
KIM BERG, Javelin, Sr, Kremlin, MT
Became the Big Sky’s second ever four-time javelin Champion in May... two of the Big Sky’s five three-time javelin champs threw for MSU... owns the MSU school record and the third-best mark in Big Sky history.
NCAA All-America: --
USATF Championships: 13th in 2007.
NCAA Regionals: 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008.
Big Sky Champion: 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008.
All-Big Sky: 2004 (1st), 2005 (1st), 2007 (1st), 2008 (1st).
Big Sky Placewinner: 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008.
Big Sky Qualifier: 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008.
MSU Record: 162-4 (2007).
ALLISON JONES, Hammer, Jr, Harlowton, MT
Scored 16 Big Sky points as a freshman last year... two top four finishes outdoors in ‘07.
NCAA All-America: --
NCAA Regionals: 2007 HT, 2008 HT, 2008 SP.
Big Sky Champion: --
All-Big Sky: 2007 HT (3rd), 2008 HT (3rd), 2008 SP (3rd).
Big Sky Placewinner: 2007 SP (4th), 2007 HT (3rd), 2008 HT 3rd), 2008 SP (3rd).
Big Sky Qualifier: 2007 HT, 2007 SP, 2008 HT, 2008 SP.
KRIS SCHAFFER, Shot Put, So, Pierre, SD
NCAA All-America: --
Big Sky Champion: --
All-Big Sky: --
Big Sky Placewinner: 2008 (SP, 5th).
Big Sky Qualifier: 2008 (SP).
Big Sky Athlete of the Week: 4/8/08, 5/13/08.
LENA SUEK, Javelin, Fr, Havre, MT
NCAA All-America: --
NCAA Regionals: 2008.
Big Sky Champion: --
All-Big Sky: --
Big Sky Placewinner: 2008 (6th).
Big Sky Qualifier: 2008.
EMILY TYRRELL, Javelin, Fr, Grand Forks, ND
NCAA All-America: --
NCAA Regionals: 2008.
Big Sky Champion: --
All-Big Sky: 2008 (3rd).
Big Sky Placewinner: 2008 (3rd).
Big Sky Qualifier: 2008.
DUSTIN DEGEN, Javelin, Jr, Missoula, MT
NCAA All-America: --
NCAA Regionals: 2007 (11th), 2008.
Big Sky Champion: --
All-Big Sky: 2008 (3rd).
Big Sky Placewinner: 2008 (3rd).
Big Sky Qualifier: 2007, 2008.
TAYLOR HENSEN, Javelin, Sr, Deer Lodge, MT
NCAA All-America: --
NCAA Regionals: 2007, 2008.
Big Sky Champion: --
All-Big Sky: --
Big Sky Placewinner: 2007 (8th), 2008 (6th).
Big Sky Qualifier: 2007, 2008.
DAN JOHNSON, 400, Jr, Livingston, MT
Arguably the finest sprinter in Montana State history... has won Big Sky 400 m titles indoors and outdoors.
NCAA All-America: --
NCAA Regionals: 2007 (11th).
Big Sky Champion: 2008 (400).
All-Big Sky: 2008 (400 1st, 200 2nd).
Big Sky Placewinner: 2008 (1st 400, 2nd 200).
Big Sky Qualifier: 2007, 2008.
MSU Record: 400 -- 46.50 (2008).
NICK LAM, Javelin, So, Billings, MT
Two-time Big Sky Athlete of the Week this spring... has won two meets this season... won MSU’s first javelin title in over 20 years in ‘07.
NCAA All-America: --
NCAA Placewinner: 2007 (15th).
NCAA Regional: 2007 (3rd).
Big Sky Champion: 2007.
All-Big Sky: 2007 (1st).
Big Sky Placewinner: 2007 (1st).
Big Sky Qualifier: 2007.
Big Sky Athlete of the Week: 4/8/08, 4/22/08.
NATHAN PALMER, Hammer, Sr, Helena, MT
NCAA All-America: --
NCAA Placewinner: --
NCAA Regional: 2005, 2006, 2007; 2007 All-Region.
Big Sky Champion: --
All-Big Sky: 2007 (3rd).
Big Sky Placewinner: 2008 (4th), 2007 (3rd).
Big Sky Qualifier: Each season.
DAN VAN SWEARINGEN, Javelin, Jr, Great Falls, MT
NCAA All-America: --
NCAA Regionals: 2007 (15th), 2008.
Big Sky Champion: --
All-Big Sky: --
Big Sky Placewinner: 2008 (4th).
Big Sky Qualifier: 2007, 2008.
With a dozen Bobcats in Lincoln, Nebr., for the 2008 NCAA Midwest Regional Championships, Kennedy and his squad lived through a tornado watch in eastern Nebraska. The storm tore apart the community of Kearney but traveled on a northeastern path that skirted Lincoln.
"We got rain and a pretty good lightning storm," Kennedy said of his first experience with a tornado, which reigns as an annual threat in 'Tornado Alley' stretching from Texas to Minnesota. "We didn't get any of the severe winds. I never have been (near a tornado). That's one of those things we knew was a possibility last week when I saw all that weather in the Midwest."
Kennedy said the aftermath provides mostly decent weather for this weekend's meet. "It should be mid-80s here today, but it's humid," Kennedy said. "That's something none of our kids have really experienced."
* * * * *
Junior sprinter Dan Johnson begins his chase of history this weekend. The Livingston native begins his trek to become the first Big Sky student-athlete to score in the 400 in an NCAA Championships meet.
The first leg of that quest, Kennedy said, begins in some esteemed company. "Dan runs in heat two of the 400 (today)," Kennedy said. "The big gun is (Quentin Iglehart-Summers) from Baylor, he's one of the better 400 meter kids in the country. This is an absolutely loaded region for the 400. The good news for Dan is that Dan has the opportunity to run with great competition and move his time into the top 25 (nationally). If he takes advantage, he could advance (to the NCAA Championships)."
The winners of each heat and the next four fastest times advance to Saturday's 400 m finals. The top five in each event from each regional moves on to the NCAA Championships, along with athletes holding the next six or seven best marks from over the course of the season in that event.
* * * * *
In her senior season, Kim Berg is battling a foot injury sustained while winning her fourth Big Sky javelin championship. The senior from Kremlin competes Saturday, and Kennedy said her Thursday workout was positive. "She's not 100%, that's for sure," Kennedy said. "I'm hoping this doesn't hold her back and she's able to have a great meet, but the big thing is that she competes. If she is able to compete she still has a good chance of advancing (to the NCAA meet) because of her standing nationally."
MSU IN THIS WEEKEND'S SCHEDULE
Friday, 12 noon: Women’s Hammer (trials & finals) - Allison Jones.
Friday, 12 noon: Men’s Javelin (trials & finals) - Dustin Degen, Taylor Hensen, Nick Lam, Dan van Swearingen.
Friday, 3:20 pm: Men’s 400 (prelims) - Dan Johnson.
Saturday, 12 noon Men’s Hammer (trials & finals) - Nathan Palmer.
Saturday, 12 noon: Women’s Javelin (trials & finals) - Kim Berg, Lena Suek, Emily Tyrrell.
Saturday, 4 pm: Women’s Shot Put (trials & finals) - Allison Jones, Kris Schaffer.
BOBCATS IN THE REGIONAL AND NATIONAL RANKINGS
* Allison Jones (HT), so., Harlowton, MT: 8th Midwest Region, 46th NCAA
* Nathan Palmer (HT), sr., Helena, MT: 9th, 68th
* Kim Berg (Jav), sr., Kremlin, MT: 10th, 23rd
* Nick Lam (Jav), so., Billings, MT: 10th, 30th
* Dan Johnson (400), jr., Livingston, MT: 13th, 41st
* Kris Schaffer (SP), so., Pierre, SD: 15th, 48th
* Lena Suek (Jav), fr., Havre, MT: 18th, 68th
* Emily Tyrrell (Jav), fr., Grand Forks, ND: 16th, 57th
* Dan van Swearingen (Jav), jr., Great Falls, MT: 21st, 68th
* Taylor Hensen (Jav), sr., Deer Lodge, MT: 23rd, 84th
* Allison Jones (SP), so., Harlowton, MT: 25th, 112th
* Dustin Degen (Jav), jr., Missoula, MT: 28th, 100th
BOBCAT CAPSULES & OUTDOOR RESUMES
KIM BERG, Javelin, Sr, Kremlin, MT
Became the Big Sky’s second ever four-time javelin Champion in May... two of the Big Sky’s five three-time javelin champs threw for MSU... owns the MSU school record and the third-best mark in Big Sky history.
NCAA All-America: --
USATF Championships: 13th in 2007.
NCAA Regionals: 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008.
Big Sky Champion: 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008.
All-Big Sky: 2004 (1st), 2005 (1st), 2007 (1st), 2008 (1st).
Big Sky Placewinner: 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008.
Big Sky Qualifier: 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008.
MSU Record: 162-4 (2007).
ALLISON JONES, Hammer, Jr, Harlowton, MT
Scored 16 Big Sky points as a freshman last year... two top four finishes outdoors in ‘07.
NCAA All-America: --
NCAA Regionals: 2007 HT, 2008 HT, 2008 SP.
Big Sky Champion: --
All-Big Sky: 2007 HT (3rd), 2008 HT (3rd), 2008 SP (3rd).
Big Sky Placewinner: 2007 SP (4th), 2007 HT (3rd), 2008 HT 3rd), 2008 SP (3rd).
Big Sky Qualifier: 2007 HT, 2007 SP, 2008 HT, 2008 SP.
KRIS SCHAFFER, Shot Put, So, Pierre, SD
NCAA All-America: --
Big Sky Champion: --
All-Big Sky: --
Big Sky Placewinner: 2008 (SP, 5th).
Big Sky Qualifier: 2008 (SP).
Big Sky Athlete of the Week: 4/8/08, 5/13/08.
LENA SUEK, Javelin, Fr, Havre, MT
NCAA All-America: --
NCAA Regionals: 2008.
Big Sky Champion: --
All-Big Sky: --
Big Sky Placewinner: 2008 (6th).
Big Sky Qualifier: 2008.
EMILY TYRRELL, Javelin, Fr, Grand Forks, ND
NCAA All-America: --
NCAA Regionals: 2008.
Big Sky Champion: --
All-Big Sky: 2008 (3rd).
Big Sky Placewinner: 2008 (3rd).
Big Sky Qualifier: 2008.
DUSTIN DEGEN, Javelin, Jr, Missoula, MT
NCAA All-America: --
NCAA Regionals: 2007 (11th), 2008.
Big Sky Champion: --
All-Big Sky: 2008 (3rd).
Big Sky Placewinner: 2008 (3rd).
Big Sky Qualifier: 2007, 2008.
TAYLOR HENSEN, Javelin, Sr, Deer Lodge, MT
NCAA All-America: --
NCAA Regionals: 2007, 2008.
Big Sky Champion: --
All-Big Sky: --
Big Sky Placewinner: 2007 (8th), 2008 (6th).
Big Sky Qualifier: 2007, 2008.
DAN JOHNSON, 400, Jr, Livingston, MT
Arguably the finest sprinter in Montana State history... has won Big Sky 400 m titles indoors and outdoors.
NCAA All-America: --
NCAA Regionals: 2007 (11th).
Big Sky Champion: 2008 (400).
All-Big Sky: 2008 (400 1st, 200 2nd).
Big Sky Placewinner: 2008 (1st 400, 2nd 200).
Big Sky Qualifier: 2007, 2008.
MSU Record: 400 -- 46.50 (2008).
NICK LAM, Javelin, So, Billings, MT
Two-time Big Sky Athlete of the Week this spring... has won two meets this season... won MSU’s first javelin title in over 20 years in ‘07.
NCAA All-America: --
NCAA Placewinner: 2007 (15th).
NCAA Regional: 2007 (3rd).
Big Sky Champion: 2007.
All-Big Sky: 2007 (1st).
Big Sky Placewinner: 2007 (1st).
Big Sky Qualifier: 2007.
Big Sky Athlete of the Week: 4/8/08, 4/22/08.
NATHAN PALMER, Hammer, Sr, Helena, MT
NCAA All-America: --
NCAA Placewinner: --
NCAA Regional: 2005, 2006, 2007; 2007 All-Region.
Big Sky Champion: --
All-Big Sky: 2007 (3rd).
Big Sky Placewinner: 2008 (4th), 2007 (3rd).
Big Sky Qualifier: Each season.
DAN VAN SWEARINGEN, Javelin, Jr, Great Falls, MT
NCAA All-America: --
NCAA Regionals: 2007 (15th), 2008.
Big Sky Champion: --
All-Big Sky: --
Big Sky Placewinner: 2008 (4th).
Big Sky Qualifier: 2007, 2008.
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