Montana State University
BOBCAT OPEN
Right on track
2/17/2012 9:34:00 PM | Track & Field
Murphy sets new record in indoor finale
Bobcat Open Results
It was literally their last chance. Montana State Track and Field took full advantage of the opportunity before them at the Bobcat Open on Friday. Six new Bobcats picked up their automatic qualifiers for the Big Sky Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships. Montana State finished with 12 first place finishes (six each for the men and women), as well as several lifetime best performances at the unscored meet.
In the men's weight throw, Trevor Gilreath finished in third place with 16.67m (54-08.25), while it marked a lifetime best, he just missed the Big Sky meet mark of 17.0m. Gilreath got his second medal of the evening in the shot put with a distance of 17.07m (56-00.00).
In the 55 hurdles, MSU swept the first two places with two season bests, starting with a gold medal finish by Asa Staven with a time of 7.57. Jeff Mohl came in second, also with a season best time of 7.70.
Mohl tabbed his second medal, while competing in his first three events, nearly simultaneously. The Red Lodge, Mont. native crossed the finish line in 6.56, just five-hundredths off the meet standard.
Staven, like Mohl, competing in multiple events on Friday night, placed second in the pole vault, tying his top height this season with 4.90m (16-00.75). Powhattan Williamson, who did not place, but launched himself to a lifetime best height of 3.70m (12-01.50).
Matt Nicholas, who had yet to qualify in the long jump, finally earned his stripes. The senior leapt to a distance of 6.98m (22-11.00) to punch his ticket to Flagstaff.
Montana State swept the podium in the 800 with an exceptional run by all three finishers. Matt Tex won the race with a time of 1:54.12, followed by Jacob Kirk in second in 1:54.24 and Jake Turner in third in 1:54.28. All three ran fast enough to meet the conference standard and season bests.
The 'Cats put on a similar show in the 200, with the top spots taken by Montana State. Gage Pickering won the race in 22.17, followed by Nick Melone in 22.26 and Kevin Close in 22.52.
In the 3,000m Michael Asay earned his first medal as a Bobcat, placing second with a time of 8:51.19. Seth Grossman came in third, right on his heels at 8:53.70.
Amanda Murphy, who has been a headliner for the Bobcats all season, produced her best performance today in the weight throw. Not only did she launch a lifetime best performance, she also set a new Bobcat program record with 19.34m (63-05.50). The previous record was set by Jen Allen at 18.86m back in 2004. Murphy also won the shot put with a distance of 14.46m (47-05.25).
Katie Niemeir won her first medal of the night, after a win in the 55 hurdles. Niemeir, who is already qualified for the Conference Meet, bested her time and clocked in with a time of 8.08. Chelsea Bourque also notched her first of two medals in the hurdles, finishing in second with a season best time of 8.46, narrowly missing the 8.40 qualifying time.
Niemeir and Bourque turned right around to race in the 55 dash. Bourque placed second in 7.33 seconds, her second PR of the night. Niemeir came in third, also with a best time of 7.33 seconds.
The 400 was also a highlight for the Bobcats. Sonia Antar won her second collegiate race with a lifetime best time of 56.04, improving her qualifying time. Niemeir picked up her third medal on the night, also with her own PR, crossing the finish line in 56.25. Madeline Fuchs, who placed fifth, finally got her time in the event, finishing exactly on the mark in 57.50.
In the 800, Lierin Flanagan placed second with a time of 2:14.22, improving her time, after having already qualified.
Chantel Jaeger who has notched a first place finish in all of MSU's home meets this season, kept her streak alive with a gold medal in the 200, also improving on her Big Sky mark with a time of 24.56.
ReBecca Sorenson finished first in the 3,000 with her Big Sky mark of 10:18.05, nine seconds faster than her previous best this season.
“We're still gaining momentum at this point of the season and that's exactly what we need to happen,” said head coach Dale Kennedy. “We had several season bests tonight and that's a testament to the progress we're making as a program. Now we'll just start piecing together our relays for the conference meet and really start preparing for Flagstaff.”
MSU will travel to Flagstaff, Ariz. for the Big Sky Indoor Track and Field Championships, which begin Friday, Feb. 24 and will run through Saturday, Feb. 25.
