Montana
Montana State (multi-events)
Griz conclude multi-events at Bozeman
1/7/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Indoor Track, Men's Track and Field, Women's Track and Field
Jan. 7, 2014
Multi-event athletes from the Montana track and field team concluded the Montana State Combined Events Dual at Bozeman on Tuesday, with redshirt seniors Austin Emry and Keith Webber competing in the heptathlon.
Emry held the day-one lead with 3,036 points and had a 44-point advantage on Montana State's Jeff Mohl entering Tuesday's final three events. Emry added to that lead by running the fastest 55-meter hurdles of the day in a time of 7.69.
But that would be Emry's only event Tuesday as a sore shoulder kept him from doing anything more than a few warm-ups in the pole vault. Emry did not finish the 1,000 meters and ended the heptathlon in fourth place with 3,949 points.
Mohl won the heptathlon easily with 5,450 points. MSU's Powhattan Williamson was second at 4,782.
Webber, who was competing in the heptathlon mainly as a way to get an additional shot at the pole vault, allowed his anticipation for the day's second event to get the better of him, and it cost him a shot at making a run at the school record.
"I think Keith was probably a little too excited for the pole vault," UM multi-events coach Adam Bork said. "He was warmed up and ready to vault a half hour before the hurdles, but it's a different schedule than competing at an open meet."
Adding to Webber's wait was the low starting point for the pole vault once the event finally rolled around. Montana State's Mason Storm, who finished third in the heptathlon, cleared 7-7.25 as his top height, and Williamson was out after clearing 12-6.25.
Webber went a career-best 16-10.75 at Eastern Washington in early December, and he traveled to Bozeman to take a shot at clearing 17 feet for the first time and breaking Bork's indoor school record of 17-1. He bowed out at 16-5.5.
"Keith was really looking forward to this after the success he had at Eastern Washington," Bork said. "He looked great in warm-ups and was clearing 17-1 or 17-2, but by the time they got to the higher bars, I think his legs were getting tired.
"He had some good attempts at 16-9 and vaulted fairly well today, but I think he was frustrated with how the day went. He expects a lot out of himself."
Webber did not start the 1,000 meters.
Montana's full team will be in action for the first time this indoor season on Jan. 17 when the Grizzlies return to Bozeman for the Montana State Open.
