Friday, March 28
Missoula, Mont.
Montana
vs
Al Manuel Invitational/Griz-Cat Dual
Photo by: Tommy Martino/University of Montana
Montana opens outdoor season at home
3/26/2025 3:01:00 PM | Men's Track and Field, Women's Track and Field
The Montana track and field team will look to carry the positive momentum gained from its best indoor season in a decade into the outdoor season, which begins this weekend with the Al Manuel Invitational/Griz-Cat Dual.
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The meet begins on Friday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. with the hammer throw and javelin competitions. The rest of the events will begin on Saturday morning at 11:00 a.m. and conclude with the 1,600-meter relays at 4:00.
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Montana has had the previous month off to recover from the indoor season, and head coach Doug Fraley is ready to get back on the track and begin down a road that will lead to the Big Sky Championships May 14-17 in Sacramento.
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"We're very excited to start the outdoor season. We feel like we've had a very good recovery period after the indoor championships and had time to kind of start over again and begin the process of training and getting back to some base work during the last few weeks," Fraley said. "Now it's time to start building that progression again from the first outdoor meet that will eventually lead to the Big Sky Championships in Sacramento in May."
Â
There will be high hopes for the Grizzlies going into the 2025 season following an impressive indoor campaign. Montana's men finished in 3rd place and the women 4th at the Big Sky Indoor Championships, the highest finishes since 2014 and 2017, respectively.
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The Grizzly women had a pair of Big Sky Champions in Erin Wilde (high jump) and Whitney Morrison (pentathlon) at the meet in Flagstaff. It was the fourth straight gold medal for Wilde, a junior from Whitefish. Morrison pulled off an upset to win her first Big Sky title, and the first pentathlon title for Montana since 2019.
Â
Samantha Serex earned All-Conference honors in the women's pole vault by breaking the Montana school record with a mark of 13-7.25.
Â
Montana had two individuals earn All-Conference honors on the men's side to go along with a pair of All-Conference relay teams. Patrick Kremer finished runner-up in the men's high jump to earn his third career All-Conference honor.
Â
Karsen Beitz finished runner-up in the men's 200m after breaking the Montana indoor school record.
Â
Montana had several high finishes, but it was the depth that they showed that allowed them to exceed their preseason expectations. Grizzlies scored points across the board on both the track and in the field.
Â
Fraley said that the success was the result of a months long progression, and that his team needs to follow the same path if they want to recreate those results outdoors.
Â
"We have higher expectations because we did pretty well indoors, but it's the same process that we have to go through as we go meet-to-meet and week-to-week during the outdoor season that will eventually lead us to success," Fraley said. "The thing that you can't do is just expect to step on the track and do well because you did during the indoor season.
Â
"It's a process every season, every time you go out, to have a baseline in the first outdoor meet and progress that for the next two-and-a-half months leading to the outdoor championships."
Â
The Griz will look to recreate the indoor success this spring, and they have the added bonus of bringing more events into the fold. Montana has historically been very good at the outdoor-only events of javelin and 400-meter hurdles.
Â
Matthew Hockett is a two-time regional qualifier in men's javelin. He redshirted last outdoor season, but will return as one of the favorites in the Big Sky this year. Montana is deep on the men's side, and on the women's side in the event led by returner Ashley Carroll. Carroll finished 4th in the Big Sky last year.
Â
"It's always good for us when we move outside because we have really good javelin throwers on both sides, we've got some really good 400-meter hurdlers, good hammer throwers," Fraley said. "It's really nice to have had some success indoors and then be adding strength events that they only have outdoors, so we're really excited to getting those events going."
Â
This will be the first of two home events this year for Montana. The Grizzlies will also host the Montana Open on April 25-26. There will be six weekends with competition throughout the regular season leading into the Big Sky Championships.
Â
The Grizzlies don't have any opportunities to host during the indoor season, which makes the opening event of the outdoor season even more special.
Â
"It's great to have a home competition. We don't have it during indoor season, so for us to get a chance to host and be at home, go to class, sleep in our own beds, it's a great thing," Fraley said. "We can also involve every single person on the roster that is healthy and ready to compete so it's a great opportunity for those kids to get some exposure at a home meet."
Â
The Grizzlies also rescheduled the Griz-Cat Dual for this weekend. While most of the competitions will remain the same, the two D-1 programs will also have dual scoring against each other to determine the annual rivalry winners.
Â
Montana State's men won the 2024 Outdoor Big Sky Championships while the women finished in 2nd behind Northern Arizona.
Â
"We're excited about the dual meet with Montana State, as always," Fraley said. "Our kids are excited about that and will get up for it. We're hoping to go out there and compete well on our home track against our in-state rival. It should be a lot of fun."
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MONTANA MEN'S ENTRY LIST
100m- Cooper Hewett, Karsen Beitz, Malaki Simpson, Brody Thornsberry
200m- Karsen Beitz, Malaki Simpson, Brody Thornsberry, Cody Lease, Gordon McMillion
400m- Jay Beagle, Braden Ankeny, Taylor Johnson, Ty Ferguson, Landon Shilhanek, Garrett Dahlke, Logan Tate
800m- Morgan Amano, Michael Jump
1,500m- Lane Cole, Truman Thompson, Keagen Crosby, Colin Shaules
5,000m- Zachary Giesch, Kanoa Blake, Luke Mest
110mH- Oliver Simianer, Carter Petersen
400mH- Cutter Thatcher, Adam Maxwell, Oliver Simianer
4x100m- Two squads
4x400m- Two squads
High jump- Patrick Kremer, Zachary Travis, Adam Maxwell, Oliver Simianer
Pole vault- Carson Weeden, Carson Hegele, Kevin Swindler, Carter Petersen, Corbin Luce, Porter Coffield, Oliver Simianer
Long jump- Gordon McMillion, Caiden Sekuterski, Patrick Kremer, Brody Thornsberry, Porter Coffield
Triple jump- Caiden Sekuterski, Brody Thornsberry
Shot put- Alex Shields, Donaven Humphries, Wade Rykal, Porter Coffield
Discus- Donaven Humphries, Tyler Bates, Memphis Black, Porter Coffield
Hammer- Donaven Humphries, Tyler Bates, Wade Rykal, Alex Shields, Memphis Black
Javelin- Matthew Hockett, Kyle Iorg, Ethan Grimm, Porter Coffield
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MONTANA WOMEN'S ENTRY LIST
100m- Lily Meskers, Tara Ohlwiler, Claire Hutchison, Rileigh McGree, Audrey Smith, Destiny Santiago
200m- Lily Meskers, Tara Ohlwiler, Claire Hutchison, Rileigh McGree, Audrey Smith, Ainsley Shipman, Isabelle Berry, Destiny Santiago
400m- Mikenna Ells, Sophia Clark, Cosley Bruno
800m- Katie Whitehurst, Mackenzie Morgan, Libby Hartz
1,500m- Olivia Coll, Sofia Hinderman, Heidi Olson, Lucy Thompson
5,000m- Kayla Ingraham, Iris McKean, Abigail Kotran, Shay Pederson, Ashtyn Wagner
100mH- Jayel Dovichak, Ainsley Shipman, Isabelle Berry
400mH- Whitney Morrison, Jayel Dovichak
4x100m- Two squads
4x400m- Two squads
High jump- Erin Wilde, Whitney Morrison, Madison Kremer, Josie Blazina, Halle Walker
Pole vault- Samantha Serex, Shealyne McGee, Molly Chambers, Emma Weeden, Chesnee Lawrence, Hannah Moses
Long jump- Ainsley Shipman, Whitney Morrison, Rileigh McGree, Perry Paffhausen, Emily Maughan
Triple jump- Ainsley Shipman, Emily Maughan, Whitney Morrison, Perry Paffhausen
Shot put- Scout Nadeau, Cathlene Van Zyl, Morgan Thomas, Calista Ousley, Kensey Gault
Discus- Morgan Thomas, Mary Mickelson, Cathlene Van Zyl
Hammer- Savana Ramirez, Mary Mickelson, Morgan Thomas, Scout Nadeau, Cathlene Van Zyl
Javelin- Ella Moodry, Ashley Carroll, Whitney Morrison, Kensey Gault
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The meet begins on Friday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. with the hammer throw and javelin competitions. The rest of the events will begin on Saturday morning at 11:00 a.m. and conclude with the 1,600-meter relays at 4:00.
Â
Montana has had the previous month off to recover from the indoor season, and head coach Doug Fraley is ready to get back on the track and begin down a road that will lead to the Big Sky Championships May 14-17 in Sacramento.
Â
"We're very excited to start the outdoor season. We feel like we've had a very good recovery period after the indoor championships and had time to kind of start over again and begin the process of training and getting back to some base work during the last few weeks," Fraley said. "Now it's time to start building that progression again from the first outdoor meet that will eventually lead to the Big Sky Championships in Sacramento in May."
Â
There will be high hopes for the Grizzlies going into the 2025 season following an impressive indoor campaign. Montana's men finished in 3rd place and the women 4th at the Big Sky Indoor Championships, the highest finishes since 2014 and 2017, respectively.
Â
The Grizzly women had a pair of Big Sky Champions in Erin Wilde (high jump) and Whitney Morrison (pentathlon) at the meet in Flagstaff. It was the fourth straight gold medal for Wilde, a junior from Whitefish. Morrison pulled off an upset to win her first Big Sky title, and the first pentathlon title for Montana since 2019.
Â
Samantha Serex earned All-Conference honors in the women's pole vault by breaking the Montana school record with a mark of 13-7.25.
Â
Montana had two individuals earn All-Conference honors on the men's side to go along with a pair of All-Conference relay teams. Patrick Kremer finished runner-up in the men's high jump to earn his third career All-Conference honor.
Â
Karsen Beitz finished runner-up in the men's 200m after breaking the Montana indoor school record.
Â
Montana had several high finishes, but it was the depth that they showed that allowed them to exceed their preseason expectations. Grizzlies scored points across the board on both the track and in the field.
Â
Fraley said that the success was the result of a months long progression, and that his team needs to follow the same path if they want to recreate those results outdoors.
Â
"We have higher expectations because we did pretty well indoors, but it's the same process that we have to go through as we go meet-to-meet and week-to-week during the outdoor season that will eventually lead us to success," Fraley said. "The thing that you can't do is just expect to step on the track and do well because you did during the indoor season.
Â
"It's a process every season, every time you go out, to have a baseline in the first outdoor meet and progress that for the next two-and-a-half months leading to the outdoor championships."
Â
The Griz will look to recreate the indoor success this spring, and they have the added bonus of bringing more events into the fold. Montana has historically been very good at the outdoor-only events of javelin and 400-meter hurdles.
Â
Matthew Hockett is a two-time regional qualifier in men's javelin. He redshirted last outdoor season, but will return as one of the favorites in the Big Sky this year. Montana is deep on the men's side, and on the women's side in the event led by returner Ashley Carroll. Carroll finished 4th in the Big Sky last year.
Â
"It's always good for us when we move outside because we have really good javelin throwers on both sides, we've got some really good 400-meter hurdlers, good hammer throwers," Fraley said. "It's really nice to have had some success indoors and then be adding strength events that they only have outdoors, so we're really excited to getting those events going."
Â
This will be the first of two home events this year for Montana. The Grizzlies will also host the Montana Open on April 25-26. There will be six weekends with competition throughout the regular season leading into the Big Sky Championships.
Â
The Grizzlies don't have any opportunities to host during the indoor season, which makes the opening event of the outdoor season even more special.
Â
"It's great to have a home competition. We don't have it during indoor season, so for us to get a chance to host and be at home, go to class, sleep in our own beds, it's a great thing," Fraley said. "We can also involve every single person on the roster that is healthy and ready to compete so it's a great opportunity for those kids to get some exposure at a home meet."
Â
The Grizzlies also rescheduled the Griz-Cat Dual for this weekend. While most of the competitions will remain the same, the two D-1 programs will also have dual scoring against each other to determine the annual rivalry winners.
Â
Montana State's men won the 2024 Outdoor Big Sky Championships while the women finished in 2nd behind Northern Arizona.
Â
"We're excited about the dual meet with Montana State, as always," Fraley said. "Our kids are excited about that and will get up for it. We're hoping to go out there and compete well on our home track against our in-state rival. It should be a lot of fun."
Â
MONTANA MEN'S ENTRY LIST
100m- Cooper Hewett, Karsen Beitz, Malaki Simpson, Brody Thornsberry
200m- Karsen Beitz, Malaki Simpson, Brody Thornsberry, Cody Lease, Gordon McMillion
400m- Jay Beagle, Braden Ankeny, Taylor Johnson, Ty Ferguson, Landon Shilhanek, Garrett Dahlke, Logan Tate
800m- Morgan Amano, Michael Jump
1,500m- Lane Cole, Truman Thompson, Keagen Crosby, Colin Shaules
5,000m- Zachary Giesch, Kanoa Blake, Luke Mest
110mH- Oliver Simianer, Carter Petersen
400mH- Cutter Thatcher, Adam Maxwell, Oliver Simianer
4x100m- Two squads
4x400m- Two squads
High jump- Patrick Kremer, Zachary Travis, Adam Maxwell, Oliver Simianer
Pole vault- Carson Weeden, Carson Hegele, Kevin Swindler, Carter Petersen, Corbin Luce, Porter Coffield, Oliver Simianer
Long jump- Gordon McMillion, Caiden Sekuterski, Patrick Kremer, Brody Thornsberry, Porter Coffield
Triple jump- Caiden Sekuterski, Brody Thornsberry
Shot put- Alex Shields, Donaven Humphries, Wade Rykal, Porter Coffield
Discus- Donaven Humphries, Tyler Bates, Memphis Black, Porter Coffield
Hammer- Donaven Humphries, Tyler Bates, Wade Rykal, Alex Shields, Memphis Black
Javelin- Matthew Hockett, Kyle Iorg, Ethan Grimm, Porter Coffield
Â
MONTANA WOMEN'S ENTRY LIST
100m- Lily Meskers, Tara Ohlwiler, Claire Hutchison, Rileigh McGree, Audrey Smith, Destiny Santiago
200m- Lily Meskers, Tara Ohlwiler, Claire Hutchison, Rileigh McGree, Audrey Smith, Ainsley Shipman, Isabelle Berry, Destiny Santiago
400m- Mikenna Ells, Sophia Clark, Cosley Bruno
800m- Katie Whitehurst, Mackenzie Morgan, Libby Hartz
1,500m- Olivia Coll, Sofia Hinderman, Heidi Olson, Lucy Thompson
5,000m- Kayla Ingraham, Iris McKean, Abigail Kotran, Shay Pederson, Ashtyn Wagner
100mH- Jayel Dovichak, Ainsley Shipman, Isabelle Berry
400mH- Whitney Morrison, Jayel Dovichak
4x100m- Two squads
4x400m- Two squads
High jump- Erin Wilde, Whitney Morrison, Madison Kremer, Josie Blazina, Halle Walker
Pole vault- Samantha Serex, Shealyne McGee, Molly Chambers, Emma Weeden, Chesnee Lawrence, Hannah Moses
Long jump- Ainsley Shipman, Whitney Morrison, Rileigh McGree, Perry Paffhausen, Emily Maughan
Triple jump- Ainsley Shipman, Emily Maughan, Whitney Morrison, Perry Paffhausen
Shot put- Scout Nadeau, Cathlene Van Zyl, Morgan Thomas, Calista Ousley, Kensey Gault
Discus- Morgan Thomas, Mary Mickelson, Cathlene Van Zyl
Hammer- Savana Ramirez, Mary Mickelson, Morgan Thomas, Scout Nadeau, Cathlene Van Zyl
Javelin- Ella Moodry, Ashley Carroll, Whitney Morrison, Kensey Gault
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Players Mentioned
Distance
/ Men's Track and Field
Sprints
/ Men's Track and Field
Throws
/ Men's Track and Field
Sprints
/ Men's Track and Field
Sprints
/ Men's Track and Field
Hurdles
/ Women's Track and Field
Throws
/ Men's Track and Field
Distance
/ Men's Track and Field
Sprints
/ Women's Track and Field
Throws
/ Women's Track and Field
Jumps
/ Women's Track and Field
Sprints
/ Women's Track and Field
Hurdles
/ Men's Track and Field
Distance
/ Men's Track and Field
Distance
/ Women's Track and Field
Sprints
/ Men's Track and Field
Hurdles
/ Women's Track and Field
Distance
/ Women's Track and Field
Sprints
/ Men's Track and Field
Hurdles
/ Women's Track and Field
Distance
/ Men's Track and Field
Throws
/ Men's Track and Field
Distance
/ Women's Track and Field
Jumps - PV
/ Men's Track and Field
Sprints
/ Men's Track and Field
Distance
/ Women's Track and Field
Throws
/ Men's Track and Field
Throws
/ Men's Track and Field
Sprints
/ Women's Track and Field
Distance
/ Women's Track and Field
Throws
/ Men's Track and Field
Sprints
/ Men's Track and Field
Mid-Distance
/ Men's Track and Field
Distance
/ Women's Track and Field
Jumps
/ Men's Track and Field
Jumps
/ Women's Track and Field
Sprints
/ Men's Track and Field
Pole Vault
/ Men's Track and Field
Jumps
/ Women's Track and Field
Jumps/Hurdles
/ 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
/ Women's Track and Field
Distance
/ Men's Track and Field
Throws
/ Women's Track and Field
Throws
/ Women's Track and Field
Distance
/ Women's Track and Field
Multi-events/Jumps
/ Women's Track and Field
Jumps
/ Women's Track and Field
Throws
/ Women's Track and Field
Sprints
/ Women's Track and Field
Distance
/ Women's Track and Field
Jumps
/ Women's Track and Field
Distance
/ Women's Track and Field
Jumps
/ Men's Track and Field
Throws
/ Women's Track and Field
Throws
/ Men's Track and Field
Sprints
/ Women's Track and Field
Jumps
/ Men's Track and Field
Jumps
/ Women's Track and Field
Distance
/ Men's Track and Field
Throws
/ Men's Track and Field
Sprints
/ Men's Track and Field
Multi-events/Jumps
/ Women's Track and Field
Sprints
/ Men's Track and Field
Sprints
/ Men's Track and Field
Sprints
/ Women's Track and Field
Jumps - PV
/ Men's Track and Field
Sprints
/ Men's Track and Field
Sprints
/ Men's Track and Field
Throws
/ Women's Track and Field
Distance
/ Women's Track and Field
Distance
/ Men's Track and Field
Sprints
/ Men's Track and Field
Jumps
/ Men's Track and Field
Throws
/ Women's Track and Field
Distance
/ 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 FieldGriz Soccer vs. Gonzaga Postgame Report - 9/18/25
Saturday, September 20
Griz Football vs. North Dakota Highlights - 9/13/25
Monday, September 15
Griz Volleyball Weekly Press Conference - 9/15/25
Monday, September 15
Griz Soccer Weekly Press Conference - 9/15/25
Monday, September 15
