Montana ready to compete on big stage

Friday, January 25

Seattle, Wash.

Montana

UW Invitational

Photo by: Dean Hendrickson

1/24/2019 5:16:00 PM | Men's Track and Field, Women's Track and Field

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By: Montana Sports Information

MISSOULA, Mont. – The Montana track & field team is once again back in action this weekend, but this time, the Grizzlies are headed West. After consecutive weeks competing in Bozeman, Montana will break it up with a trip to Seattle, Wash., taking part in the prestigious UW Invitational.

It's hard to believe, considering the true indoor season is barely a few weeks old, but in just one month, the Grizzlies will be represented at the Big Sky Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships.

While still early, this weekend is an opportunity for those currently in line to compete for points to improve on their craft. In order to participate this weekend, one must meet certain qualifying times and marks, meaning the Grizzlies will be running and competing against some of the nation's best, including NCAA qualifiers and Olympic participants.

UW Invitational Tidbits

The Grizzlies are sending 46 athletes to Seattle (26 women, 20 men).
While the majority of athletes are veterans who have scored points at conference before, 12 of them are freshmen, including eight of the 20 men.
Montana has eight men competing in the 200 meters. It has been an event that Montana has had success in early on, with the Grizzlies earning the top five places at the MSU Open and four of the top five at the MSU Dual Meet Invitational.
While no man will compete in a distance race longer than 1 mile, several women are scheduled to compete in the 3,000 meters and 5,000 meters. No Grizzly has competed in the 5,000 meters yet this season, but Samantha Engebretsen and Jessica Bailey finished second and third, respectively, in the 3,000 meters at the MSU Open earlier this month.
Jane Booth will be of three jumpers in the women's high jump. She won the event at the MSU Open and placed third out of 42 athletes at last year's UW Invitational. In fact, despite competing against some of the world's top athletes, Montana was the only school to have multiple jumpers clear 5-3, with Abby Dodge setting a lifetime best and finishing 12^th.
Montana's four competitors in the women's long jump finished in the top six at the MSU Open, led by Erika McLeod's 19-1.25. McLeod will also compete in the 60-meter hurdles and pentathlon.
Fresh off of her Big Sky Women's Field Athlete of the Week award, Hana Feilzer will participate in the weight throw for the first time since expanding her school record. She's won the event in all three meets this season.
Shawn Humphries is competing in both the shot put and weight throw. In two meets in the weight throw, he has finished first (MSU Open) and second (MSU Dual Meet Invitational), increasing his distance by 3 feet. A year ago at the UW Invitational, he set a personal best with a throw of 60-2.5, finishing fifth.