Griz add to recruiting class with seven signees

Montana got its women's track and field recruiting class rolling last November when the Grizzlies signed one of the nation's top distance runners, Bigfork's Makena Morley, and the state's top high jumper, Corvallis's Jane Booth, to National Letters of Intent.

The class grew by seven more the last two months, headlined by one of the top distance runners and one of the best pole vaulters out of Washington, and the top thrower in Montana.

Wanting another standout runner to match with Morley, Griz distance coach Collin Fehr signed Emily Pittis of Bellingham, Wash., who experienced nothing but success in her prep career at Sehome High.

She won three Class 2A cross country championships and had one runner-up finish in her four-year career. She also won the 3,200 meters at the state track meet as a sophomore, junior and senior, and the 1,600 meters in 2013. The last two years she placed second in the event.

Her top track times were 5:00.76 in the 1,600 meters and 10:51.00 in the 3,200.

"Emily was a steal for us," said Fehr. "If you look at her credentials, she has one of the best records of any prep runner coming out of Washington. She's pretty much been first or second in everything every single year.

"We're really excited to have her, and we needed her for sure. We needed someone to come in and bolster the roster alongside Makena, and Emily fits that role perfectly."

Montana also added Bridget Creel of Bozeman. Creel placed fourth at the Class AA state cross country meet as a junior and finished fifth last month at the state track meet in the 3,200 meters. She'll compete in the steeplechase for the Grizzlies.

"Bridget is a tough Montana gal, so she has the mentality for the steeplechase. We feel like she is a diamond in the rough, with some good potential in that event and cross country as well," said Fehr.

Montana signed the state's top boys' thrower when it landed Zayne Babbitt of Missoula this spring. The Grizzlies made it a sweep of the top throwing talent in Montana with the addition of Kayla Holmes of Plains. Also signing was Mariah Harvey of Manhattan.

Holmes ranked first in the state in 2015 among all classes with marks of 43-9 in the shot put and 145-6 in the discus. Harvey, at 138-6, ranked second behind Holmes on the state performance list in the discus and had a senior-year PR of 39-4.5 in the shot put.

"Mariah was someone we were after all year, so it was great to get her, and Kayla is the best thrower in the state. It's always nice to get girls like that," said UM coach Brian Schweyen.

"I think both of those girls are going to be good weight and hammer throwers as well. We're getting some good, quality athletes in those two."

Joining Pittis as signees out of Washington were Carrie Jacka, of Deer Park, the younger sister of Griz pole vaulter Bailee Jacka, and Keyera Gaulden, of Silverdale.

Gaulden had prep bests of 12.30 in the 100 meters and 25.31 in the 200. Jacka, who competed for Mead High School in Spokane the last two years, holds the MHS record in the pole vault at 12-6. She won the Class 4A state title as a junior and finished runner-up last month.

"Carrie is going to be a big asset in the pole vault and someone who can make an immediate impact," said Schweyen. "She is a strong-minded vaulter and a competitor. I'm excited to get her here and competing for us."

Montana's seventh signee was Carla Nicosia of Columbia Falls, Mont., a triple jumper who had the state's second-best mark in the spring of 37-3.25.

The Grizzlies already have the Big Sky Conference's top athlete in that event in Sammy Evans, who came to Montana with a similar prep mark. She has since become a high-41-foot jumper and is on the path to becoming an All-American.

Comparisons are a bit premature, but Schweyen sees a lot of Evans in Nicosia. "Carla just got better and better in the spring and ended up having a great end to her season," he said.

"She's so strong and has a lot of speed she isn't utilizing right now on the runway. When she does, I think she's someone who could hit some really big jumps. With her strength, she is going to be our next 40 footer."

University of Montana Athletics

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