BOZEMAN, Mont. -- Montana Tech's men's and women's track & field teams took a last stab at national-qualifying marks Friday afternoon at Montana State's Tom Gage Classic, and the Orediggers did it in record-breaking fashion. 

Junior Cade VanVleet threw the shot 17.26 meters to break his own Montana Tech record in the event and move up to No. 4 on the NAIA's national men's shot put leaderboard.  VanVleet finished third in the event, and senior Jesse Mecham joined him on the podium with a season-best 15.75m throw, good enough for sixth in the event and 36th in the NAIA. 

The Orediggers combined for four event wins on the day as well. Freshman Matthew Moreni won the men's 400m hurdles in a collegiate-best 54.33 seconds, and fellow freshman Jacob Dolezal crossed the line first in the 110m hurdles (15.75). Junior Ben Zerr took the other win for the Digger men in the 5,000m run (15:20.28). 

Junior Alyssa Jany claimed the lone win for the women's team on the day, taking first in the 5,000m at 18:44.54. 

Freshman Ayla Janzen was third in the 100m hurdles, racing a collegiate-best 14.91 seconds. She was also runner-up in the triple jump (11.09m). 

Montana Tech's track & field teams will begin preparations for the NAIA national championships, scheduled for May 21-23 at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Ind. The field for the national meet will be announced next week. 

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