MISSOULA, Mont. -- Montana Tech's corps of throwers continued the opening weekend of men's and women's outdoor track & field season for the Orediggers Friday, kicking off University of Montana's Al Manuel Invitational with competition in the hammer throw and javelin. 

Junior Colter Ball capped the day off with a record-breaking performance in the men's javelin. The Fort Benton product was runner-up in the event at 59.28 meters to blow his previous Tech record out of the water by nearly four meters. That throw was more than good enough to cement an NAIA 'B' standard for Ball, ensuring his inclusion in May's national-championship meet. 

Ball's toss led the way for an impressive showing in the event. Teagan Wall logged a 51.35m throw to take seventh and move to second on the Diggers' all-time leaderboard, while Evan Kinley also jumped to 10th on the all-time list (45.49m, ninth place). 

Senior Jenna Jordan cleared 40.24m to lead the charge in the women's javelin. Jordan was third in the event and 2.5m off her own program-best mark. Tyra Opperman (37.55m, seventh) also landed in the scoring ranks for the Diggers. 

Freshman Lily Sullivan carried on her tremendous rookie campaign with a ninth-place result in the women's hammer throw. Sullivan slung the hammer 41.05m, putting her second all-time at Tech. Ava Epler finished close behind in 10th (38.81m) to move to third all-time, and Emily McCalla was 12th (35.12), moving up to fourth in Oredigger lore. 

In the men's hammer throw, junior Cade VanVleet took seventh at 50.16m. Senior Jesse Mecham was 11th with a collegiate-best heave of 46.14 that moved him to third on Tech's all-time leaderboard. 

The Orediggers will continue competition in the Al Manuel Invitational at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Dornblaser Field. 

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