Montana State University
BOBCAT OPEN
Track and Field Capitalizes at Last Chance Meet
2/21/2014 9:33:00 PM | Men's Track and Field, Women's Track and Field, Track & Field
Bobcat Open proves lucrative for Montana State
Montana State Track and Field did as much as they could at the Bobcat Open on Friday, Feb. 21. It marked their final chance to earn Big Sky Conference qualifying performances and it wasn't just a night of qualifiers, it was a night of wins, both in the results and for individuals.
As per usual, the men's weight throw belonged to Montana State. Sean Ferriter took home his fourth gold medal of the indoor season with a throw of 59-00.00 (17.98m), four inches shy of his season's best. Teammate Derek Marsh finished second in 54-10.25 (16.72m). Jarek Jenson came in fourth, with a lifetime best throw of 52-08.25 (16.06m). Overall, MSU took five of the top six spots in the event.
The first personal bests of the night came in the women's weight. Mary Koppy hurled the weight to another lifetime best of 52-06.50 (1601m) and her second career victory. Madison Wills rounded out the podium in third also with a PR throw. The junior measured a toss of 51-05.75 (15.69m) for her first-ever over-50 throw. Callen Crawford, who did not place, did notch her best throw with 48-05.50 (14.77m).
The Blue & Gold picked up an additional 13 wins after the weight throw. Chelsea Bourque picked up a win in the 55 dash in 7.40 seconds. The men's 55 produced much of the same all season with a first place finish from Chris Wilson in 6.43 seconds, followed by Michael Tobin at 6.55. Nick Melone closed out the sweep for MSU in third with 6.60.
The Mile, for both the men and women yielded combined three new Big Sky qualifiers. Kaylee Schmitz, coming off a record-setting 800 just one week ago, won the race in 5:06.96, her second bid to the championship meet. Her win also came almost seven seconds ahead of the next finisher.
In only his second individual race of the season, Cristian Soratos earned a solid victory in the mile with a Big Sky time of 4:11.55. He finished third in the mile at the 2013 championships. Matthew Tex also got his conference time along with a third-place finish in 4:16.13.
Iris Hardarson, who already qualified in the 800, put up a strong race with a win in 2:15.57, followed by Lillian Ball in second, just narrowly missing the Big Sky cutoff time in 2:16.54, but a lifetime best nonetheless.
Distance stalwart Jacob Kirk also fared well in the 800, picking up his fourth event qualification of his senior season. Already with marks in the mile, 3000 and 5000, he added his time of 1:52.69 to his Big Sky resume after finishing third in Worthington Arena on Friday.
In his final chance of the season, transfer Rory Bauer capitalized to beat the clock in the 400, and win the 400 with a time of 49.02. Nick Melone got his second third-place finish of the night in the race with a season's best time of 49.61.
Also in a last-chance effort, Libby Madison got her ticket punched in the pole vault with height of 11-09.75 (3.60m) to tie her indoor best. Casey Teska, MSU'd pole vault leader, won the event with 12-09.50 (3.90m).
The final individual race of the 2014 home slate was the 3,000 and while Jenette Northey and Rachel Atwood already qualified for the Big Sky Championships, it didn't stop them from putting their best foot forward. Northey won in 10:06.73, while Atwood came in second just behind her in 10:07.62. Both notched lifetime bests and with the altitude adjustment will have sub-10 minute times, a huge goal for both distance runners.
Wins also came from Sonia Antar (400), Amber Amsbaugh (High Jump), Michael Asay (3,000) and Trevor Gilreath (Shot Put)
"All in all, we were successful in what we set out to do tonight," said head coach Dale Kennedy. "On top of a few more for Big Sky, we saw a huge number of victories and personal records out there.
Montana State will declare their final Big Sky Indoor Track and Field Championship roster on Monday and will be ready to compete beginning Feb. 27 at Holt Arena in Pocatello, Idaho.
