Friday, February 9
Spokane, Wash.
Montana
vs
Whitworth Invite
Photo by: Torrey Vail
Montana heads back to Spokane for regular season finale
2/7/2024 3:21:00 PM | Men's Track and Field, Women's Track and Field
The Montana track and field team will conclude the indoor regular season this weekend at the Whitworth Invitational held at The Podium in Spokane. The meet begins Friday afternoon and then runs through the day on Saturday.
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Live results can be found on Athletic.net and the meet will be streamed on Runnerspace.com. The stream will require a subscription.
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The Grizzlies had last weekend off after three meets in as many weeks during January. Head coach Doug Fraley said that the rest has been good for his team to recover, but that the athletes are ready to get back into the field of competition.
"We're real excited. It's been a good week off, we got a lot of good training in and were able to space it out without having a meet to consider, so that's been great," Fraley said. "The kids are feeling rested, recovered, and ready to go to Spokane this week."
Â
The Grizzlies will also have a week off following the meet to prepare for the Big Sky Championship. As they enter February, the pressure is starting to build with the conference championships on the horizon. The month of February is when you want to be having your best performances.
Montana made strides in January and saw consistent improvement across the board, but they will need to make another jump this weekend. Fraley is putting out his athletes in their top events this weekend as they eye seeding at the conference meet.
Â
"It's February, and when the calendar turns to February you had better be improving because if you're staying the same you are getting passed up," Fraley said. "The way we set up the schedule was to get some meets to build through in January, but once February hits we have got to be improving our marks heading towards the Big Sky meet."
Â
There were plenty of Griz athletes towards the top of the Big Sky performance lists entering last weekend, but while the Grizzlies had the week off, several of the top teams in the league were competing at a high level.
Â
The leaderboards have changed, and many of the top marks in the conference were recorded in a busy weekend to open up February. It shows Montana's athletes what they need to do as they prepare for Spokane.
Â
"The Big Sky leaderboard changed dramatically over the weekend, and that's not a surprise at all, it's what happens in February," Fraley said. "The message to our group after having a good build in January and then a week off is, we need to come out this weekend ready to roll in all events."
Â
While the leaderboards may have changed, several Grizzlies still find themselves in contention near the top of lists. The men have nine athletes currently in the top eight in the Big Sky, while the women have six. That doesn't include the relays or multi-athletes for Montana, which should both be competitive at the Big Sky meet.
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On the men's side, Patrick Kremer is the top-ranked athlete. His high jump of 6-8.75 at the Bobcat Challenge on Jan. 26 has him 2nd in the Big Sky and trailing the league leader Miles Grant by just an inch. Zachary Travis is 5th in the same event with a mark of 6-6.75.
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The vertical jumps are a strength for Montana as they also have three pole vaulters in the top eight, led by Zane Johnson in 4th. His mark of 16-8 is within six inches of Keith Webber's school record set in 2014. Kevin Swindler (16-6.75, 5th) and Carson Weeden (16-2, 6th) are also in the top eight.
Â
The jumps are great on the women's side as well, as Erin Wilde is the top female athlete on Montana at the moment with a mark of 5-7.25 that has her second in the conference lists. She's within three inches of a school record set in 1994 by Brenda Naber.
Â
Shealyne McGee leads an improving pole vault crew on the women's side as she has returned from injury to climb up to 6th in the league ranks. Several other athletes had season-best performances last meet that have them on the verge of entering the scoring territory.
Â
The men have a potential double point scorer in Jason Upton. The senior is one of the best jumpers in the conference, currently ranking 3rd in the long jump (24-3.75) and 7th in the triple jump (44-11).
Â
The women's weight throw has a pair of possible scorers as well as Ariel Clark has had a fantastic senior season and currently ranks 4th, while Savana Ramirez is a few feet behind her and ranks 7th.
Â
Taylor Johnson (5th in the 400) and Walker McDonald (8th in the weight throw) round out the men in the top eight, while Katie Whitehurst (5th in the 800) and freshman Jayel Dovichak (5th in the 60-meter hurdles) conclude the women's athletes currently in scoring range.
Â
They are the top competitors for Montana at the moment, but plenty can happen this weekend to shift up the Big Sky performance lists.
Â
"Not only is this a great meet and a great venue, but it's really our athletes' final chance to solidify seedings in the Big Sky which affects lane assignments and things like that at the Big Sky Conference meet," Fraley said. "It's also a chance for some kids to solidify their roster spot. We've got some kids on the inside, but also some kids on the bubble that could tip the scales this week."
Â
Men's Entries
60m- Karsen Beitz, Jason Upton, Cutter Thatcher, Gordon McMillion
200m- Karsen Beitz, Jason Upton
400m- Taylor Johnson, Ty Ferguson, Xavier Melice, Jay Beagle, Cutter Thatcher
800m- Henry Ballinger, Casey Crouch, Truman Thompson, Cooper Morris
Mile- Lane Cole, Maxwell Scott
3,000m- Maxwell Scott
60mH- Porter Coffield
4x400m- Two squads
High Jump- Patrick Kremer, Zachary Travis, Adam Maxwell, Porter Coffield
Pole Vault- Zane Johnson, Kevin Swindler, Carson Weeden, Carson Hegele, Jackson Merrill, Carter Petersen
Long Jump- Jason Upton, Jethro Thorne, Gordon McMillion, Patrick Kremer
Triple Jump- Dylan Zink
Shot Put- Porter Coffield
Weight Throw- Walker McDonald
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Women's Entries
60m- Mikenna Ells, Tara Ohlwiler, Claire Hutchison, Lily Meskers, Audrey Smith, Rileigh McGree, Jayel Dovichak, Cosley Bruno, Ainsley Shipman
200m- Tara Ohlwiler, Claire Hutchison, Audrey Smith, Cosley Bruno, Rileigh McGree, Jayel Dovichak, Kara Mattson
400m- Mikenna Ells, Lily Meskers
800m- Katie Whitehurst, Mackenzie Morgan
Mile- Iris McKean
3,000m- Kayla Ingraham
60mH- Jayel Dovichak, Brooke Stayner, Ailsa Gilbert, Whitney Morrison, Ainsley Shipman, Kara Mattson
4x400m- Two squads
High Jump- Erin Wilde, Brooke Stayner, Whitney Morrison
Pole Vault- Shealyne McGee, Emma Zimmerman, Molly Chambers, Hannah Moses, Chesnee Lawrence
Long Jump- Ailsa Gilbert, Kara Mattson, Ainsley Shipman, Perry Paffhausen, Brooke Stayner, Whitney Morrison, Rileigh McGree
Triple Jump- Ailsa Gilbert, Ainsley Shipman
Shot Put- Ariel Clark, Cathlene Van Zyl, Whitney Morrison, Brooke Stayner
Weight Throw- Ariel Clark, Savana Ramirez, Cathlene Van Zyl
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Live results can be found on Athletic.net and the meet will be streamed on Runnerspace.com. The stream will require a subscription.
Â
The Grizzlies had last weekend off after three meets in as many weeks during January. Head coach Doug Fraley said that the rest has been good for his team to recover, but that the athletes are ready to get back into the field of competition.
"We're real excited. It's been a good week off, we got a lot of good training in and were able to space it out without having a meet to consider, so that's been great," Fraley said. "The kids are feeling rested, recovered, and ready to go to Spokane this week."
Â
The Grizzlies will also have a week off following the meet to prepare for the Big Sky Championship. As they enter February, the pressure is starting to build with the conference championships on the horizon. The month of February is when you want to be having your best performances.
Montana made strides in January and saw consistent improvement across the board, but they will need to make another jump this weekend. Fraley is putting out his athletes in their top events this weekend as they eye seeding at the conference meet.
Â
"It's February, and when the calendar turns to February you had better be improving because if you're staying the same you are getting passed up," Fraley said. "The way we set up the schedule was to get some meets to build through in January, but once February hits we have got to be improving our marks heading towards the Big Sky meet."
Â
There were plenty of Griz athletes towards the top of the Big Sky performance lists entering last weekend, but while the Grizzlies had the week off, several of the top teams in the league were competing at a high level.
Â
The leaderboards have changed, and many of the top marks in the conference were recorded in a busy weekend to open up February. It shows Montana's athletes what they need to do as they prepare for Spokane.
Â
"The Big Sky leaderboard changed dramatically over the weekend, and that's not a surprise at all, it's what happens in February," Fraley said. "The message to our group after having a good build in January and then a week off is, we need to come out this weekend ready to roll in all events."
Â
While the leaderboards may have changed, several Grizzlies still find themselves in contention near the top of lists. The men have nine athletes currently in the top eight in the Big Sky, while the women have six. That doesn't include the relays or multi-athletes for Montana, which should both be competitive at the Big Sky meet.
Â
On the men's side, Patrick Kremer is the top-ranked athlete. His high jump of 6-8.75 at the Bobcat Challenge on Jan. 26 has him 2nd in the Big Sky and trailing the league leader Miles Grant by just an inch. Zachary Travis is 5th in the same event with a mark of 6-6.75.
Â
The vertical jumps are a strength for Montana as they also have three pole vaulters in the top eight, led by Zane Johnson in 4th. His mark of 16-8 is within six inches of Keith Webber's school record set in 2014. Kevin Swindler (16-6.75, 5th) and Carson Weeden (16-2, 6th) are also in the top eight.
Â
The jumps are great on the women's side as well, as Erin Wilde is the top female athlete on Montana at the moment with a mark of 5-7.25 that has her second in the conference lists. She's within three inches of a school record set in 1994 by Brenda Naber.
Â
Shealyne McGee leads an improving pole vault crew on the women's side as she has returned from injury to climb up to 6th in the league ranks. Several other athletes had season-best performances last meet that have them on the verge of entering the scoring territory.
Â
The men have a potential double point scorer in Jason Upton. The senior is one of the best jumpers in the conference, currently ranking 3rd in the long jump (24-3.75) and 7th in the triple jump (44-11).
Â
The women's weight throw has a pair of possible scorers as well as Ariel Clark has had a fantastic senior season and currently ranks 4th, while Savana Ramirez is a few feet behind her and ranks 7th.
Â
Taylor Johnson (5th in the 400) and Walker McDonald (8th in the weight throw) round out the men in the top eight, while Katie Whitehurst (5th in the 800) and freshman Jayel Dovichak (5th in the 60-meter hurdles) conclude the women's athletes currently in scoring range.
Â
They are the top competitors for Montana at the moment, but plenty can happen this weekend to shift up the Big Sky performance lists.
Â
"Not only is this a great meet and a great venue, but it's really our athletes' final chance to solidify seedings in the Big Sky which affects lane assignments and things like that at the Big Sky Conference meet," Fraley said. "It's also a chance for some kids to solidify their roster spot. We've got some kids on the inside, but also some kids on the bubble that could tip the scales this week."
Â
Men's Entries
60m- Karsen Beitz, Jason Upton, Cutter Thatcher, Gordon McMillion
200m- Karsen Beitz, Jason Upton
400m- Taylor Johnson, Ty Ferguson, Xavier Melice, Jay Beagle, Cutter Thatcher
800m- Henry Ballinger, Casey Crouch, Truman Thompson, Cooper Morris
Mile- Lane Cole, Maxwell Scott
3,000m- Maxwell Scott
60mH- Porter Coffield
4x400m- Two squads
High Jump- Patrick Kremer, Zachary Travis, Adam Maxwell, Porter Coffield
Pole Vault- Zane Johnson, Kevin Swindler, Carson Weeden, Carson Hegele, Jackson Merrill, Carter Petersen
Long Jump- Jason Upton, Jethro Thorne, Gordon McMillion, Patrick Kremer
Triple Jump- Dylan Zink
Shot Put- Porter Coffield
Weight Throw- Walker McDonald
Â
Women's Entries
60m- Mikenna Ells, Tara Ohlwiler, Claire Hutchison, Lily Meskers, Audrey Smith, Rileigh McGree, Jayel Dovichak, Cosley Bruno, Ainsley Shipman
200m- Tara Ohlwiler, Claire Hutchison, Audrey Smith, Cosley Bruno, Rileigh McGree, Jayel Dovichak, Kara Mattson
400m- Mikenna Ells, Lily Meskers
800m- Katie Whitehurst, Mackenzie Morgan
Mile- Iris McKean
3,000m- Kayla Ingraham
60mH- Jayel Dovichak, Brooke Stayner, Ailsa Gilbert, Whitney Morrison, Ainsley Shipman, Kara Mattson
4x400m- Two squads
High Jump- Erin Wilde, Brooke Stayner, Whitney Morrison
Pole Vault- Shealyne McGee, Emma Zimmerman, Molly Chambers, Hannah Moses, Chesnee Lawrence
Long Jump- Ailsa Gilbert, Kara Mattson, Ainsley Shipman, Perry Paffhausen, Brooke Stayner, Whitney Morrison, Rileigh McGree
Triple Jump- Ailsa Gilbert, Ainsley Shipman
Shot Put- Ariel Clark, Cathlene Van Zyl, Whitney Morrison, Brooke Stayner
Weight Throw- Ariel Clark, Savana Ramirez, Cathlene Van Zyl
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Players Mentioned
Distance
/ Men's Track and Field
Sprints
/ Men's Track and Field
Sprints
/ Men's Track and Field
Sprints
/ Women's Track and Field
Jumps
/ Women's Track and Field
Throws
/ Women's Track and Field
Hurdles
/ Men's Track and Field
Distance
/ Men's Track and Field
Distance
/ Men's Track and Field
Hurdles
/ Women's Track and Field
Distance
/ Women's Track and Field
Sprints
/ Men's Track and Field
Jumps
/ Women's Track and Field
Jumps - PV
/ Men's Track and Field
Sprints
/ Women's Track and Field
Distance
/ Women's Track and Field
Sprints
/ Men's Track and Field
Jumps
/ Men's Track and Field
Jumps
/ Men's Track and Field
Jumps
/ Women's Track and Field
Jumps/Hurdles
/ Women's Track and Field
Jumps/Hurdles
/ Men's Track and Field
Throws
/ Men's Track and Field
Jumps
/ Women's Track and Field
Jumps/Hurdles
/ Women's Track and Field
Distance
/ Women's Track and Field
Jumps
/ Men's Track and Field
Sprints
/ Men's Track and Field
Jumps - PV
/ Men's Track and Field
Sprints
/ Women's Track and Field
Distance
/ Women's Track and Field
Distance
/ Men's Track and Field
Multi-events/Jumps
/ Women's Track and Field
Jumps
/ Women's Track and Field
Sprints
/ Women's Track and Field
Jumps
/ Women's Track and Field
Jumps
/ Men's Track and Field
Throws
/ Women's Track and Field
Distance
/ Men's Track and Field
Multi-events/Jumps
/ Women's Track and Field
Sprints
/ Women's Track and Field
Multi-events
/ Women's Track and Field
Jumps - PV
/ Men's Track and Field
Sprints
/ Men's Track and Field
Sprints
/ Men's Track and Field
Jumps
/ Men's Track and Field
Jumps
/ Men's Track and Field
Throws
/ Women's Track and Field
Jumps
/ Men's Track and Field
Jumps
/ Women's Track and Field
Distance
/ Women's Track and Field
Jumps
/ Women's Track and Field
Jumps
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