Montana gears up for big-time meet in California

Wednesday, April 17

Azusa, Calif.

Montana

Bryan Clay Invitational

Madeline Hamilton at Al Manuel Northwest Dual Invitational

Photo by: Todd Goodrich

4/16/2019 12:32:00 PM | Men's Track and Field, Women's Track and Field

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By: Montana Sports Information

With the 2019 Big Sky Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships just three weeks away, rosters are beginning to take shape. While there is still plenty of time for things to change, and for athletes to gain a spot on the Championships roster, this week's lineup for the Bryan Clay Invitational in Azusa, Calif., looks similar to what a fan might see in a few weeks in Missoula.

"That was absolutely the intention," head coach Brian Schweyen said. "We have a meet with good weather, good conditions and good competition. It's the perfect opportunity for us to push the limits and try to gain a lot of confidence."

Montana has registered its top athletes for the meet in California, and it's easy to see why. The meet is a big deal, featuring qualifying standards and nearly 5,000 entries from across the country. The three-day meet (Wednesday-Friday) will begin each morning and last well into the night, not finishing until midnight on some occasions.

Montana has three of the top-nine runners in the Big Sky in the women's 800 meters, and all three will be in California this week. Carly Smiedala holds Montana's school record in the event, while Maryn Lowry is a transfer from Iowa State who was recently named the Big Sky Athlete of the Week. But it is sophomore Madeline Hamilton who has the top time so far this season, with her 2:09.36 set last weekend ranking fourth in the Big Sky.

"Madeline is a tough individual, physically and mentally, and she's pushed herself and has worked really hard to get to this point," Schweyen said. "She's been fortunate to have some great athletes around her to push her, and I think that's what you're seeing with this group – you need two or three feeding off of each other and elevating each other."

The trio will also compete in the 1,500 meters, an event which Lowry holds the league's top time (4:26.52). They'll be tested by a large field featuring 385 total entries. Across the majority of this week's running events, more than 100 participants are registered.

Olivia Ellis will compete in both hurdle events. The senior ranks in the top seven in the Big Sky for both distances, while teammate Morgan Sulser ranks 11^th in the 100-meter hurdles.

The field events, though, are where Montana's women really shine. Jane Booth ranks fourth in the Big Sky in the high jump, Holly Houston ranks fourth in the discus, and Carla Nicosia is sixth in the triple jump. Even better, though, is the javelin and weight throw. Montana has three of the top-seven javelin throwers in the Big Sky, and all three – Darby Henthorn, Zena Smith and Kimberly Earhart – will be throwing this week. Each has thrown at least 148 feet this season. Montana is one of seven schools nationally to have three throwers reach that distance, the others being Auburn, BYU, Missouri, Nebraska, Stanford and Texas A&M.

In the hammer throw, Hana Feilzer is the favorite to win her second Big Sky outdoor title and currently ranks in the top 15 in the NCAA West Region.

Another week, another #BigSkyTF Athlete of the Week accolade! Congratulations on the well-deserved honor, Hana! #GoGriz

📰 https://t.co/Z4U8znCfYt pic.twitter.com/KgJ8tU4M9w
— Montana Griz T&F (@MontanaGrizTF) April 15, 2019

This week will also be the first time Montana's heptathlon and decathlon athletes compete. The Grizzlies have had plenty of recent success in the multis, most notably during the indoor season with Erika McLeod and Jansen Ziola going 1-2 at the Big Sky Championships.

"The No. 1 thing is trying to get them some experience, but to get them through it healthy," Schweyen said. "We'd love to come out with some good, solid marks, but health is the key factor."

On the men's side, the Grizzlies' biggest event comes in the 200 meters, with five athletes registered. Alex Mustard will compete in both the 200 meters and 100 meters, while Paul Johnstone, Xavier Melice and Sterling Reneau will run in the 200 meters and 400 meters. The three rank in the top 25 in the Big Sky for both events.

The Grizzlies have several strong throwers, including Brent Yeakey, who ranks in the top seven in the Big Sky in both the discus and shot put. Similar to the women, the men also have a strong contingent of javelin throwers, led by Jensen Lillquist (second in the Big Sky) and Dylan Kipp (seventh).

"We're really excited for this week," Schweyen said. "It's a good meet for us to measure where we're at with just a few weeks to go until conference. I think we're pretty strong in quite a few areas, and I think we have a chance to perform at a level that pushes our conference."

Fans can follow live results throughout the Bryan Clay Invitational. They can also watch the meet, with a subscription to FloTrack.

Bryan Clay Invitational Entries (Wednesday-Friday)
Men's 100 meters: Alex Mustard
Men's 200 meters: Paul Johnstone, Callum Macnab, Xavier Melice, Alex Mustard, Sterling Reneau
Men's 400 meters: Paul Johnstone, Xavier Melice, Sterling Reneau
Women's 800 meters: Madeline Hamilton, Carly Smiedala
Women's 1,500 meters: Madeline Hamilton, Maryn Lowry, Carly Smiedala
Women's 100-meter hurdles: Olivia Ellis, Morgan Sulser
Men's 110-meter hurdles: Callum Macnab
Women's 400-meter hurdles: Olivia Ellis
Men's 400-meter hurdles: Callum Macnab, Josh Riley
Women's high jump: Jane Booth
Men's high jump: Matt Quist
Women's long jump: Hannah Kearns
Women's triple jump: Carla Nicosia
Women's shot put: Holly Houston
Men's shot put: Brent Yeakey
Women's discus: Hana Feilzer, Holly Houston
Men's discus: Brent Yeakey
Women's javelin: Kimberly Earhart, Darby Henthorn, Zena Smith
Men's javelin: Dylan Kipp, Jensen Lillquist
Men's decathlon: Aidan Diggs, Josh Riley, Brendan Thurber-Blaser
Women's heptathlon: Erika McLeod, Jansen Ziola

While the majority of the team in California will be in Azusa, a handful of throwers will make a short trip toward the coast to Long Beach State.

Pacific Coast Intercollegiate Entries (Thursday)
Women's discus: Holly Houston
Men's discus: Brent Yeakey
Women's hammer throw: Hana Feilzer, Holly Houston

Additionally, a few athletes – primarily distance runners and hurdlers – will stay in the state of Montana for the Montana State Open in Bozeman on Saturday.

Montana State Open Entries (Saturday)
Women's 100 meters: Emma Normand
Women's 200 meters: Emma Normand
Women's 800 meters: Lyric DeVries, Megan Franz, Mijah McLeod
Men's 800 meters: Noah Adams, William Dauenhauer, Noah Kells, Dillon May
Women's 1,500 meters: Chloe Cosgrove, Lyric DeVries
Men's 1,500 meters: Andrea Baratte, Kyle Kredo, Dillon May, Rogelio Mares, Ben Vanderbosch
Men's 110-meter hurdles: Chase Armstrong
Men's 400-meter hurdles: Chase Armstrong, Colton Hess

Gallery: (4/13/2019) TF: at Montana Open (4.13.19)