Bobcats Complete Opening Day at Don Kirby Elite Invitational

Thursday, February 13

Albuquerque, NM

1 p.m.

Montana State University

Don Kirby Elite Invitational - Day One

Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson

Bobcats Complete Opening Day at Don Kirby Elite Invitational

2/13/2020 6:32:00 PM | Men's Track and Field, Women's Track and Field

Will Prettyman and Drake Schneider had MSU's highlight performances on the opening day of New Mexico's Don Kirby Elite Invitational

By: Andrew Pedersen

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Montana State track and field began its weekend of competition on Thursday, Feb. 13, at the Don Kirby Elite Invitational inside the Albuquerque Convention Center. The Bobcats recorded five top-20 showings between nine competitors at the site of this year's NCAA Indoor Championships.

Junior Drake Schneider earned MSU's top finish of the day by taking fourth overall in the men's 400-meter run. His time of 48.03 seconds was a season-best mark and led him to the second fastest time among attached runners in the event.

Schneider placed 13th in the 200 behind a personal-best time of 21.73. Finishing ahead of him was teammate Will Prettyman. The MSU freshman took 10th overall by crossing the line in 21.64. His time was the fastest in his heat and moved him from sixth into a tie for fourth in program history.

Noah Martin claimed a top-10 effort in the men's high jump. He cleared a height of 6 feet, 9.75 inches (2.08m) which placed him sixth overall. Joining the contingent of Bobcats in the top 20 individual standings was Leah Klein. The junior took 17th in the women's weight throw with a toss of 52-07.25 (16.03m).

Montana State's men had three other competitors in action Thursday. Jared Schwend took 22nd in the 400 by crossing the line in 50.27. Josh Mertz finished 23rd in the men's weight throw with a mark of 52-02.25 (15.98m). Casey Gunlikson placed 51st in the 200 with a time of 22.68.

Maddie Brockel and Twila Reovan also represented the Bobcat women's squad. Reovan finished 34th in the long jump with her leap of 17-11.75 (5.48m) and Brockel took 72nd in the 200 with her time of 25.61.

The Bobcat track and field program will have competitors appear in two meets on Friday. MSU continues competition at the Don Kirby Elite Invitational Friday, while a contingent of athletes participate in Washington's Husky Classic.