Griz gear up for big weekend in Pocatello

Friday, May 1

Pocatello, Idaho

Montana

Bengal Invitational

Photo by: Tommy Martino/University of Montana

4/29/2026 3:37:00 PM | Men's Track and Field, Women's Track and Field

Performance List

By: Montana Sports Information

BENGAL INVITATIONAL
May 1-2 / Pocatello, Idaho / WATCH / LIVE RESULTS / MEET SCHEDULE

May is, almost, here. For the Montana track and field program and head coach Doug Fraley, the entire 2025-26 academic year has been building toward this month. They open May in Pocatello, Idaho at the Bengal Invitational on one of the biggest weekends of the regular season.

It's the final chance for many on Montana's roster to put up qualifying marks for the NCAA First Round. For others, it's the last chance to prove they belong on the roster at the Big Sky Championships in two weeks.

The majority of the conference and the track and field world at large on national stage will be in action, meaning that the Grizzlies will have to keep improving if they want to keep up. Any way you look at it, from the top to the bottom of the Grizzly roster, this is a big week.

"This is a big weekend for us for both improving in the Big Sky standings in individual events as well as for athletes that are close or have the possibly to secure an NCAA First Round berth," Fraley said. "It's a big weekend conference wide and nationwide for the sport of track and field."

The two-day meet will feature the host Bengals as well as a full roster from Montana State. The high-level competition, paired with a good forecast and a good venue, should set up ideal conditions for the Grizzlies.

The meet will be streamed on ESPN+. Field events begin at 1:00 p.m. on Friday with the first race of the day starting at 3:30 p.m. Saturday's action begins at 11:00 a.m.

"This is always one of our favorite meets of the year," Fraley said. "It's excellent competition, Idaho State's outdoor facility is a great performance venue, the weather looks to be solid, so it's always an opportunity for us to make some advancements on where we're at and get some momentum as we start to move downhill towards the conference championships."

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Montana currently has top 10 conference marks by 27 women and 28 men with just weeks to go until the Big Sky Championships. The Grizzlies were picked 3^rd on both sides in the Coaches' Poll this year and are set up well at the moment to have plenty of potential point scorers in Portland.

The top 48 athletes in the NCAA West Region will qualify for the NCAA First Round in Fayetteville, Ark. from May 27-30.

Erin Wilde, who will be jumping in her 50^th meet as a Grizzly, is currently the top ranked Montana athlete on both sides, sitting at 10^th in the West Region in the women's high jump with her school record mark of 6-0. Callie Wilson (11.46, 100m) and Ashley Carroll (155-2, javelin) are both inside that top 48 at the moment but will need to improve to guarantee a spot.

The men currently have seven athletes across eight events in the top 48 of the region. Karsen Beitz ranks 18^th in both the 100m and 200m with times of 10.17 and 20.55.

The javelin trio of Hunter Loesch (230-7, 11^th), Kyle Iorg (230-6, 12^th), and Cooper Henkle (213-10, 33^rd) are all safely inside the cut line at the moment but will be competing against a great field in Pocatello with chances to improve.

Alex Shields ranks 27^th in the men's shot put with his school record throw of 59-8.5 and is joined in the top 48 by freshman Astin Brown, who currently occupies the final spot with a throw of 57-10.25.

Titus Jeffrey is also eyeing the First Round in the men's discus with a throw of 182-3, which ranks 33^rd in the region.

There are 22 more Grizzlies that currently rank between 49^th and 100^th in the region that, on the right day, could post a mark that would take them to Arkansas.

For those athletes hoping to punch a ticket to the NCAA First Round, this weekend provides them with a great chance to post a good mark or time and not have to worry about anything else at the Big Sky Championships.

"There will be kids that qualify at the conference meet, but you don't want to have to put all your eggs in that basket," Fraley said. "The task of going to the conference meet is trying to beat as many people as you can, so this is a fantastic weekend for those athletes to really be able to advance their marks if they hit it right in Pocatello."

The top of the Grizzly lineup should be put to the test in some deep and competitive fields. Montana State finished second in the men's and women's competitions indoor this season. Idaho State was 5^th on the men's side and always competes well at their home venue.

They also share strengths with Montana. Some events this weekend may prove to be previews of what the podium at the Big Sky Championships could look like.

"The competition with Montana State and Idaho State at this meet is always great," Fraley said. "The strengths of those teams match well with the strengths of our team, so we know we will get high-level Big Sky competition just like we will in two weeks in Oregon. It's a great dress rehearsal for us to find out where we're at in a lot of areas."

While some are chasing the NCAA First Round, many on Montana's roster are looking to shore up their position on the roster for the conference championship. A big weekend in Pocatello just may be their ticket to Portland.

The Grizzlies have just one regular season meet following the Bengal Invitational. They travel to Bozeman for the Tom Gage Classic next Friday.

"There are conference roster spots up for grabs between the meet in Pocatello and the Tom Gage meet in Bozeman in two weeks," Fraley said. "For the athletes that are on the conference bubble, this is their chance to start showing that they belong at the conference championships. It's a big weekend in all facets for our team."

MONTANA OUTDOOR SCHOOL RECORDS IN 2026
The following school records have been broken this outdoor season.