Friday, March 28
Missoula, MT
All Day
Montana State University
at
AL MANUEL INVITATIONAL
Chris Wilson had two first place finishes in the outdoor season opener on Saturday.
Photo by: Mark MacLeod
Track and Field Opens Strong at Al Manuel Invite
3/29/2014 6:30:00 PM | Men's Track and Field, Women's Track and Field, Track & Field
Bobcats go 3-1 in dual scoring including a men's sweep of MSU, EWU
| Men's Results | Women's Results |
Bobcat Track and Field opened the outdoor season on the right foot at the Al Manuel Invitational on Saturday, March 29. Placing in nearly every event, MSU finished 3-1 in dual scoring in addition to Carroll, Gillette, Great Falls and MSU-Billings also competing at Dornblaser Field in Missoula, Mont. The MSU Men defeated Eastern Washington, 124-54, and also got the win over rival and meet host Montana, 111-91. The women earned a split on the day, with a 117-80 victory over the Eagles, but falling to the Griz, 115-80.
On the men's side, the Bobcats placed in almost every track event and also saw several good things on the field. In the 100m dash, Chris Wilson, along with Michael Tobin and Nick Melone, swept the podium. Wilson won the event in 10.91 seconds. Wilson, picking up where he left off from his indoor Big Sky Championship, also finished first in the 200.
The 1,500 also took the 1-2-3 finish with Cristian Soratos leading the way in 3:51.00. Normally specializing in the 800, Grant Grosvenor and Matt Tex came in second and third, respectively, showing their versatility in the middle distance events.
Back in action in the 110 hurdles was Powhattan Williamson, one of many redshirts from the indoor slate. Williamson came in third in the event in 15.59. Also back, but after a full year since his last appearance was Jeff Mohl, who led off the first place finish 4x100 relay that clocked in with a time of 41.44 with great efforts from Melone, Tobin and Wilson to secure the win. Mohl anchored the 4x400 that came in third with the help of Melone, John Daubert and Rory Bauer, crossing the line in 3:22.71.
Jake Mushaben made a grand entrance in Missoula with his winning jump of 23-00.50 (7.02m) in the long jump to take his second career individual win. The Bobcats got points from Williamson in third with 22-04.25 (6.81m). In the Triple Jump, the Blue & Gold took first and third again, this time off a Kevin Close win with 45-10.00 (13.97m). Freshman Matt Tokarz, who is finally competing following injury this winter, took bronze with 42-02.75 (12.87m).
Other wins for the men including Trevor Gilreath in the shot put and Tanner Gambill in the javelin (also with a PR throw of 205-03 (62.57m).
On the women's side, Iris Hardarson notched a first-place finish in the 400, despite a few absences from the MSU's sprinters on Saturday. Kaylee Schmitz, also coming off a big indoor season, had an impressive win in the 1,500 in 4:37.09.
Paige Squire recorded a lifetime best in the 400 hurdles with 1:03.60 while placing second. She also came in third in the 100 hurdles in 15.51.
The women's running event highlight belonged to the 3,000 steeplechase, where Heather Demorest won in 10:54.59, followed by freshman Jenette Northey in second. Northey's time of 10:57.26 marked her first time doing water jumps yet now ranks fourth all-time in program history.
Amber Amsbaugh was also a winner on Saturday, taking gold in the high jump.
"Overall, this was a great first meet out," said assistant coach Lyle Weese. "Conditions weren't nearly what they were last year and that presented some challenges but to have the full team back and competing and seeing the performances we saw, it sent a strong tone for this outdoor season."
Montana State's next meet begins on Thursday, April 3, at the Montana State Open at the Bobcat Track and Field Complex. April 3 and 4 will play host to the decathlon and helptathlon, with the remainder of the meet on Saturday, April 5, at 10:30 a.m.
Bobcat Track and Field opened the outdoor season on the right foot at the Al Manuel Invitational on Saturday, March 29. Placing in nearly every event, MSU finished 3-1 in dual scoring in addition to Carroll, Gillette, Great Falls and MSU-Billings also competing at Dornblaser Field in Missoula, Mont. The MSU Men defeated Eastern Washington, 124-54, and also got the win over rival and meet host Montana, 111-91. The women earned a split on the day, with a 117-80 victory over the Eagles, but falling to the Griz, 115-80.
On the men's side, the Bobcats placed in almost every track event and also saw several good things on the field. In the 100m dash, Chris Wilson, along with Michael Tobin and Nick Melone, swept the podium. Wilson won the event in 10.91 seconds. Wilson, picking up where he left off from his indoor Big Sky Championship, also finished first in the 200.
The 1,500 also took the 1-2-3 finish with Cristian Soratos leading the way in 3:51.00. Normally specializing in the 800, Grant Grosvenor and Matt Tex came in second and third, respectively, showing their versatility in the middle distance events.
Back in action in the 110 hurdles was Powhattan Williamson, one of many redshirts from the indoor slate. Williamson came in third in the event in 15.59. Also back, but after a full year since his last appearance was Jeff Mohl, who led off the first place finish 4x100 relay that clocked in with a time of 41.44 with great efforts from Melone, Tobin and Wilson to secure the win. Mohl anchored the 4x400 that came in third with the help of Melone, John Daubert and Rory Bauer, crossing the line in 3:22.71.
Jake Mushaben made a grand entrance in Missoula with his winning jump of 23-00.50 (7.02m) in the long jump to take his second career individual win. The Bobcats got points from Williamson in third with 22-04.25 (6.81m). In the Triple Jump, the Blue & Gold took first and third again, this time off a Kevin Close win with 45-10.00 (13.97m). Freshman Matt Tokarz, who is finally competing following injury this winter, took bronze with 42-02.75 (12.87m).
Other wins for the men including Trevor Gilreath in the shot put and Tanner Gambill in the javelin (also with a PR throw of 205-03 (62.57m).
On the women's side, Iris Hardarson notched a first-place finish in the 400, despite a few absences from the MSU's sprinters on Saturday. Kaylee Schmitz, also coming off a big indoor season, had an impressive win in the 1,500 in 4:37.09.
Paige Squire recorded a lifetime best in the 400 hurdles with 1:03.60 while placing second. She also came in third in the 100 hurdles in 15.51.
The women's running event highlight belonged to the 3,000 steeplechase, where Heather Demorest won in 10:54.59, followed by freshman Jenette Northey in second. Northey's time of 10:57.26 marked her first time doing water jumps yet now ranks fourth all-time in program history.
Amber Amsbaugh was also a winner on Saturday, taking gold in the high jump.
"Overall, this was a great first meet out," said assistant coach Lyle Weese. "Conditions weren't nearly what they were last year and that presented some challenges but to have the full team back and competing and seeing the performances we saw, it sent a strong tone for this outdoor season."
Montana State's next meet begins on Thursday, April 3, at the Montana State Open at the Bobcat Track and Field Complex. April 3 and 4 will play host to the decathlon and helptathlon, with the remainder of the meet on Saturday, April 5, at 10:30 a.m.
Big Sky Championship Video Recap
Tuesday, May 14
Bobcat Insider | Weese Tabbed Director of Track & Field
Thursday, August 16
Bobcat Insider | Dale Kennedy Interview
Monday, June 18
Big Sky Outdoor Championships Recap
Saturday, May 12
