Montana hosts Montana State in Griz-Cat Dual

Saturday, April 24

Missoula, Mont.

Montana

Griz-Cat Dual

Kyle Peterson - Al Manuel Northwest Invite - 3/27/21

Photo by: Derek Johnson

4/23/2021 11:34:00 AM | Men's Track and Field, Women's Track and Field

Meet Schedule Heat Sheets

By: Montana Sports Information

To Clint May, he knows that the Griz-Cat Dual hits a little bit differently to his student-athletes and fans. His athletes are excited to compete against rival Montana State, and he knows fans will turn out to support the Griz.

It's one of the unique aspects of two Division-I programs being located within 200 miles of each other, and one of the many things that makes competing at Montana special.

May has experience on both sides of the rivalry, having ran at Montana State in the mid-1990s before serving as head coach at Bozeman High School for nearly two decades. During that time, he sent more than a handful of athletes to both Montana and Montana State.

Today, May is all maroon and silver, and like his athletes, wants to beat the Cats when they go head to head on Saturday at Dornblaser Field. He also, though, wants his athletes at top physical shape heading into the Big Sky Championships, now less than 3 weeks away.

Sometimes that requires a balancing act.

"Ultimately, at the end of the day, we have an opportunity to have MSU here, and to have a quality opponent that will bring a lot of competition to us," May said. "We're excited for that, but we're also looking for individuals who are looking like they're getting more and more ready for that conference meet.

"For me, it truly will be more about lifetimes bests and continued improvement."

The Grizzlies are in the homestretch of their season, with the Championships now clearly in sight. Next weekend, Montana will send roughly 16 top athletes to Corvallis, Oregon, for a meet recently added to the schedule. A few days later, several athletes will travel to Bozeman for a midweek final tuneup, for those looking for one last competition before the Championships.

"Looking at the heat sheets, the approach that MSU is taking has more to do with the future than this weekend, and we took the same approach," May said.

Take the 800 meters, for example. The Grizzlies have 11 entries on the men's side, including a second heat all to themselves. Montana has two of the top-eight 800 meters runners in the Big Sky Conference, so some will be competing to continue to move up the leaderboards. Others will be running the race for the first time, more of distance runners who need additional training for their main event, the 1,500 meters.

Saturday also marks Montana's second and final home meet. Competition begins at 11 a.m. with the men's hammer throw, and will continue throughout the day, concluding with the 4x400-meter relay around 5:30 p.m. Just before that race, Montana will recognize its 13 departing student-athletes.

"I'm super, super grateful for the commitment they've made to this program, and I'm excited that we have this meet set up that we can take a pause and recognize them," May said. "This is their last meet here in Missoula, and I'm excited to celebrate them, and I'm excited for their future endeavors, as well."

Chase Armstrong / Sprints / Emmett, Idaho
The versatile athlete has competed in seven different events at the Big Sky Championships, for a total of 13 races. He has scored for the Griz three times, doing so in the 60-meter hurdles (2017 indoor), 110-meter hurdles (2017 outdoor) and 400-meter hurdles (2018 outdoor). Armstrong is originally from Emmett, Idaho, and will earn his degree in psychology. He wants to become a high-school counselor and coach. Armstrong says his favorite part of being a Griz was the entire experience.

Kahsiah Benson / Pole Vault / Helena, Montana
Kahsiah Benson has competed at three Big Sky Championships in the pole vault, twice finishing 11^th. She once again is in the mix to score for the Griz, currently ranked in the top 10 in the event. Earlier this spring, she recorded a personal best, clearing 11-10.75. The native of Helena, Montana is finishing her degree in integrated physiology, and wants to become a physical therapist. She says her favorite part of being a Griz is the unconditional support from her teammates at meets, and the lifelong friendships she has made.

Abby Dodge / Jumps / Butte, Montana
The talented jumper has been a Big Sky Championships qualifier five times, across the high jump and triple jump. Earlier this spring, she set a personal best in the high jump, clearing 5-7, which currently ranks fourth in the Big Sky. The Butte, Montana, native is a six-time Academic All-Big Sky honoree. She is completing her degree in integrative physiology, with a minor in biology and certificate in forensic studies. After graduation, she wants to pursue a degree in healthcare. Dodge says her favorite part about being a Griz was the time spent with her teammates, and everyone cheering each other on at practice, lifts and meets.

Kimberly Earhart / Javelin / Plains, Montana
Kimberly Earhart has twice represented the Griz at the Big Sky Championships in the javelin, scoring in 2017. She is saving her best performances for last, currently ranked seventh in the Big Sky after winning the Al Manuel Northwest Invite with a top throw of 153-11. The Plains, Montana, native is a one-time Academic All-Big Sky selection. She earned her bachelor's degree in accounting and is now completing her master's in business administration. Next, she wants to become a management accountant. Earhart says her favorite part of being a Griz were the 5 a.m. lifts in the Champions Center with the Hog Squad.

Trevor Henry / Distance / Las Vegas, Nevada
Trevor Henry has competed in several events for the Grizzlies, ranging from the 200- and 400-meter sprints, to mid-distance events like the 800 meters. He has also competed at the Big Sky Championships, running on Montana's 4x400-meter relay team in 2018. Away from track, Henry is a four-time Academic All-Big Sky selection. He is graduating with his degree in accounting and wants to become a CPA. Originally from Las Vegas, Nevada, Henry says his favorite part of being a Griz has been being able to make strong relationships with his teammates.

Colton Hess / Distance / Virginia City, Nevada
Colton Hess is a five-time Big Sky Championship qualifier, competing in the 400 meters, 400-meter hurdles and a variety of relay events. During the 2020 indoor season, he scored points for the Griz, placing fifth in the distance medley relay team. Hess, who is a native of Virginia City, Nevada, is also a one-time Academic All-Big Sky selection. He will graduate with a degree in health and human performance and wants to become a medical sales representative. He says his favorite part about being a Griz has been the support from the staff, coaches and his teammates, as well as being the team's papa.

Holly Houston / Throws / Madison, Wis.
Holly Houston has represented Montana at the Big Sky Championships in the shot put, discus and weight throw, reaching the podium in 2018 with a third-place discus finish at the outdoor Championships. She currently ranks third in school history with a top discus throw of 161-11. Away from the track, she has earned Academic All-Big Sky honors every semester. Houston is a native of Madison, Wisconsin and will complete her degree in health and human performance, with a minor in global public health with a pre-med focus. Next for Houston is medical school in hopes of becoming a doctor. She says her favorite part of being a Griz were Friday morning team lifts with Brandon Ronan and sunny days when everyone was practicing at the track.

Dylan Kipp / Javelin / New London, Ohio
Dylan Kipp currently leads the Big Sky Conference and ranks in the top 20 nationally in the javelin, throwing a top distance of 230-4. The mark is the second-best in school history, 2 feet shy of a school record. In 2019, during his first season at Montana, Kipp placed sixth in the javelin at the Big Sky Championships. Away from the track, Kipp is also a two-time Academic All-Big Sky recipient. Kipp is a native of New London, Ohio. He spent his first two collegiate seasons at Ashland University, before transferring to Montana. He is graduating with a degree in health and human performance, with a focus in exercise science. Next for Kipp is medical school at the University of South Carolina, for physical therapy. He says his favorite part of being a Griz was getting to connect with his teammates, who have made a huge impact, at team dinners.

Jacob Lamb / Distance / Glendora, California
Jacob Lamb will graduate from Montana as a multi-time Big Sky champion, winning both the 800 meters and 4x400-meter relay at the 2020 indoor Championships. Lamb has competed in six races at the Big Sky Championships, also scoring in the 800 meters (2018 outdoor) and distance medley relay (2020 indoor). Lamb is a native of Glendora, California and will graduate with a degree in wildlife biology. Next, he wants to obtain his Juris Doctor degree in environmental law and make a positive impact in the world. His favorite part of being a Griz has been traveling and competing alongside his Griz family, and long runs with the team.

Lawrence Moore / Pole Vault / Bozeman, Montana
After beginning his career in his hometown, at Montana State, Lawrence Moore transferred to Montana, where he has excelled in the pole vault. During the 2020 indoor season, he placed 11^th at the Big Sky Championships, and is once again ranked in the top 16 this spring. He has a top career jump of 15-1.75. He is earning dual degrees in political science and history, and hopes to become a CIA analyst. His favorite part of being a Griz were the brutal jump squat workouts and traveling with the team.

Kyle Peterson / Distance / Battle Ground, Washington
Kyle Peterson has been a strong distance runner for the Griz dating all the way back to 2017, and he's saving his best performances for his senior season, currently ranked in the top 10 in the Big Sky in the 10,000 meters. Peterson represented Montana in the 10,000 meters at the 2018 outdoor championships, and is a three-time NCAA Regionals qualifier in cross country. He is also a two-time Academic All-Big Sky recipient and will graduate with a degree in wildlife biology. Following graduation, he wants to work in national parks. The Battle Ground, Washington, native says his favorite part of being a Griz has been seeing the team's improvement from when he joined to now.

Jordan Stow / Jumps / Mill Creek, Washington
Jordan Stow has competed at the Big Sky Championships four times in the long jump and twice in the high jump, scoring in both events at the 2020 indoor Championships. He is once again in position to score this spring, ranked in the top 10 in the Big Sky in both events, including fifth in the long jump. Away from the track, he is a four-time Academic All-Big Sky recipient, and will graduate with a degree in English and a minor in history. Stow, from Mill Creek, Washington, wants to make a living as a published author and own at least three dogs. His favorite part about being a Griz was making monkey noises to raise morale in the weight room.

Brent Yeakey / Throws / Redmond, Oregon
One of the school's top all-time throwers, Brent Yeakey will finish his career as Montana's record-holder for both the indoor and outdoor shot put. Yeakey has scored at the Big Sky Championships six times across shot put and discus, finishing as high as fourth place. He is again in position to do so, ranking fourth in the discus and seventh in the shot put. In 2019, he qualified for NCAA Regionals in the shot put, finishing in the top 50. Yeakey is a native of Redmond, Oregon, and will earn his degree in health and human performance, with a focus in health enhancement. His career aspirations are to become a teacher and make a difference in his students' lives. Yeakey says his favorite part of being a Griz were the countless hours with friends that he'll remember for the rest of his life.

Competing for Montana on Saturday are:

Women's 100 meters – Emma Normand
Men's 100 meters – Cooper Craig, Cooper Hewett, Teagun Holycross, Kip Krebsbach
Women's 200 meters – Cree Bell, Ailsa Gilbert, Abby Harmon, McKinlee Mihelish, Emma Normand, Faith Rebich
Men's 200 meters – Cooper Craig, Trevor Henry, Teagun Holycross, Kip Krebsbach, Xavier Melice, Jason Upton
Women's 400 meters – Cree Bell, Abby Harmon, McKinlee Mihelish, Faith Rebich, Holly Sudol
Men's 400 meters – Trevor Henry, Cade Johnstone, Xavier Melice
Women's 800 meters – Amara Christensen, Emily Foote, Beatrix Frissell, Olivia Lackland Henry
Men's 800 meters – Will Dauenhauer, Quincy Fast, Jacob Lamb, Rogelio Mares, Hunter May, Ellis McKean, Chandler Nill, Ben Vanderbosch
Women's 1,500 meters – Carly Dahms, Emily Foote, Beatrix Frissell, Olivia Lackland Henry, Rachel Torrey
Men's 1,500 meters – Ben Cikutovich, AJ Eckmann, Rogelio Mares, Hunter May, Ellis McKean, Joel Mendez, Chandler Nill, Kyle Peterson, Ben Vanderbosch
Women's 100-meter hurdles – Jaree Mane, Morgan Radtke
Men's 400-meter hurdles – Chase Armstrong, Colton Hess, Cutter Thatcher
Women's 3,000-meter steeplechase – Hannah Wylie
Men's 4x100-meter relay – A: Teagun Holycross, Cutter Thatcher, Jason Upton, Kip Krebsbach
Women's 4x400-meter relay – A: Holly Sudol, Morgan Radtke, Jaree Mane, Jansen Ziola; B: Cree Bell, Whitney Morrison, Abby Harmon, Carly Dahms
Women's high jump – Abby Dodge, Whitney Morrison, Morgan Radtke, Holly Sudol, Jansen Ziola
Men's high jump – Alfred Peterson, Jordan Stow
Women's pole vault – Kahsiah Benson, Jadyn Campbell, Aly Tekippe
Men's pole vault – Zane Johnson, Lawrence Moore, Carson Weeden
Women's long jump – Kahsiah Benson, Ailsa Gilbert, Jaree Mane, Morgan Radtke
Men's long jump – Peterson Bohannon, Cooper Hewett, Alfred Peterson, Jordan Stow, Jason Upton
Women's triple jump – Ailsa Gilbert
Men's triple jump – Zane Johnson
Women's shot put – Ariel Clark, Ailsa Gilbert, Jaree Mane, Whitney Morrison, Holly Sudol, Jansen Ziola
Men's shot put – Brent Yeakey
Women's discus – Ariel Clark, Holly Houston, Erin Murphy
Men's discus – Matt Ward, Brent Yeakey
Women's hammer – Ariel Clark, Emilie Hinrichs, Holly Houston, Tanessa Morris, Erin Murphy
Men's hammer – Matt Ward
Women's javelin – Kimberly Earhart, Ailsa Gilbert, Emilie Hinrichs, Tatum McNamara, Whitney Morrison, Erin Murphy, Morgan Radtke, Holly Sudol, Jansen Ziola
Men's javelin – Everett Fred, Matthew Hockett, Dylan Kipp, Evan Todd