McCutchen Becomes First Pentathlete in Conference History to Surpass 4,000 Points

Friday, February 20

BOZEMAN

4PM Field/6PM Track

Montana State University

Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson

McCutchen Becomes First Pentathlete in Conference History to Surpass 4,000 Points

2/20/2015 9:35:00 PM | Men's Track and Field, Women's Track and Field, Track & Field

By: Jordan Simkins

COMPLETE RESULTS

Carley McCutchen surpassed all competitors in Big Sky Conference history, becoming the first pentathlete to break 4,000 points, posting a score of 4,034. This mark was previously held by McCutchen's coach Erin Jones-Graf, who set the record of 3,929 in 2006. In the process of breaking the conference and school pentathlon record, the senior added another mark to the record book, running the 60m hurdles in 8.57.

Jessica Crisp earned a personal-best of 3,527 points in the pentathlon, which was high enough to automatically qualify for the conference championships. Danielle Muri, who earned a qualifying mark earlier this season, posted a score of 3,588.

"Carley is starting to peak at the perfect time in her career," head coach Dale Kennedy said. "She's showed obvious improvements since the first meet and continues to make strides. Jessica and Danielle also showed promising results heading into the conference championships."

Six seniors (Tanner Burgard, Matt Tex, Michael Tobin, Trevor Polson, Jake Mushaben and Lierin Flanagan) were recognized this evening for their contribution to the track and field team and Montana State athletics as a whole. Of these six Bobcats, five have automatically qualified and will compete at the conference championships next weekend.

Soratos and Tex went one-two in the 800, posting times of 1:49.79 and 1:50.72, a personal best for Tex. Tobin led all 60m sprinters with a time of 6.98, followed by teammate Mitchell Horning (7.02). Rory Bauer earned a first place finish in the 400 (49.20). Mitchell Horning ran a 22.24 200, while Tobin nipped at his heels with a 22.49.

Sean Ferriter continues to prove why he has led the conference all season in the weight throw, as he threw 64-03.00 feet. Austin Decker also highlighted the 'Cats field events, earning a personal-best height of 16-00.75 in the pole vault. Mushaben earned the furthest long jump, jumping 22-07.00.

The women's sprinters swept the top spots in all races from the 60 to the 800. Chantel Jaeger earned a personal-best of 7.71 in the 60 and beat the record she set last week in the 200 with a time of 24.19. Teammates Daryan Box, Sarah Dolese and Amanda Jaynes rounded out the top four in the race, running times of 25.66, 25.73 and 25.75. Paige Squire ran a personal-best in the 60m hurdles, finishing in 8.71 seconds.

In the 400, MSU took spots one through four, led by Josephine Petruska (56.49) and Iris Hardarson (57.05). Taylor Buschy and Lierin Flanagan followed with times of 57.95 and 58.32. Kaylee Schmitz finished the 800 in 2:14.16 to take the first place spot. Lila Hamburg ran a lifetime-best of 2:15.74, to follow Schmitz.

"We're right where we need to be heading into the championships. Each week different athletes are proving themselves by improving and earning personal bests. Overall, I am very pleased with where we're at and where we're headed."

The Bobcats will compete at the Big Sky Conference Championships in Flagstaff, Arizona beginning on Thursday, February 26.