The Retort

Record Week for Track and Field

February 19th, 2010 by MSUB Athletics For The Retort

The Montana State Billings track and field team had a record setting weekend at the Mountain State Games held at Idaho State’s, Holt Arena, February 5 and 6. In all, eight school records fell over the two day period and the team qualified a number of athletes for Great Northwest Athletic Conference indoor championships Saturday, Feb. 20, at Northwest Nazarene.

Brandon Pearce set two new school records and qualified for the GNAC Championships in one of the events. Pearce broke the existing 200 meter mark with a new time of 22.65 in his preliminary run, finishing 12th in the finals with a time of 22.73. Pearce also set a record and qualified in the 400 meter run with his mark of 51.47.

Tyson Vanderby dropped his time in the 800 meters, running a 1:59.69 to finish fourth overall, while the distance medley relay team of Vanderby, Tucker Shuler, Logan Mossey and Ryan Blomback set a new record with an 11:15.09. Also qualifying for the GNAC meet was Taylor Canfield in the 5000 meters.

On the women’s side, Erika Halle broke her own record in the 400 meter run, turning in a time of 1:00.79, which placed her in seventh overall. Mary Owen set a pair of records in the 3000 meters and the 5000 meters. She turned in a time of 11:12.43 in the 3000 and backed it up with a 20:01.23 in the 5000.

It was the distance medley relay team again setting another record on the women’s side. This time, Katie Thiel, Emili Crowder, Mykel Ler and Whitney Mickelson set the mark with a 13:25.47. Alexi Halvorson became the fifth thrower for MSUB to qualify for the conference meet in the shot put, throwing the rock 37-08.00.

The Yellowjackets then traveled to Colorado Springs, Colorado to participate in the Air Force Academy Invitational.