Multi-events conclude in wintery Bozeman

Results

Montana's multi-event athletes wrapped up the heptathlon and decathlon with mixed results Friday on day two of the Montana State Open at Bozeman in a setting more redolent of winter than the first week of spring.

Despite blizzard-like conditions for most of Friday's events, sophomore Erika McLeod and junior Nicole Stroot both hit the Big Sky Conference qualifying standard of 4,450 points in the heptathlon.

McLeod finished third with 4,548 points to come within 11 of her PR set last April in ideal weather conditions at the Montana Open in Missoula. Stroot came in fourth with 4,455 points.

Junior Lakyn Connors was a DNF in the heptathlon. She competed in the long jump and javelin but did not start the 800 meters. Redshirt freshman Charlie Bush also was a DNF in the decathlon. He no-heighted in the pole vault and did not start the 1,500 meters.

"It was kind of brutal. It's hard to stay motivated in weather like that, but that's part of outdoor track," said Stroot. "You're going to get all kinds of different weather. You've got to expect the unexpected and do your best no matter what."

McLeod started the day in fourth place and made her way up to third after going 18-0.5 in the long jump, the best mark of the day. She went 88-5 in the javelin and closed with a 2:32.23 in the 800 meters, the day's fastest time but nearly 20 seconds off her PR.

Stroot went 17-7.75 in the long jump and 87-6 in the javelin. Her time in the 800 of 2:37.31 was 14 seconds slower than the time she ran last month to finish fourth in the pentathlon at the Big Sky indoor championships.

"I wasn't as mentally prepared for the 800 as I should have been, and it showed in my time," Stroot said. "It's important to stay mentally strong. I know I can learn from it and not let it happen again."

Montana State's Danielle Rider, second to McLeod in the pentathlon at last month's indoor championships, won the heptathlon with a score of 4,880 points. MSU's Jessica Chrisp was second with 4,641.

Connors went 16-1.25 in the long jump and 97-6 in the javelin before ending her day.

Montana State's Mason Storm won the decathlon with 6,311 points.

Bush started day two with a time of 17.45 in the 110-meter hurdles and a throw of 88-3 in the discus before no-heighting in the pole vault. He went 110-2 in the javelin in his final event of the day.

The meet will conclude Saturday in what is forecasted to be partly sunny, milder conditions.

University of Montana Athletics

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Players Mentioned

Charlie Bush

Lakyn Connors

Erika McLeod

Nicole Stroot

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