BOZEMAN -- Saturday was another record-setting day for the Montana Tech track & field teams at the Kennedy-Stark Athletic Center.
The Orediggers compiled three program records and achieved four NAIA national qualification standards at the second and final installment of the Montana Tech Winter Series.
Ayla Janzen and
Abby Clark led the way for Montana Tech in the women's long jump, both achieving the NAIA's 'A' standard in the event and both jumping 5.78 meters. Janzen won the event by way of her second-longest jump in the event. The two are now tied for second on the program's all-time leaderboard and 12th in the NAIA this season.
Janzen added a runner-up finish in the 60m hurdles, crossing the line in a season-best 8.89 seconds. That was just .05 off her own program record in the event and ranks 29th in the NAIA. The sophomore was also second in the 60m dash at 7.82, a personal best.
Clark also reached a personal best in the hurdles, coming in third in 9.27.
Ava Epler also had a huge day for the Tech women. The sophomore broke two of her own program records, winning the weight throw at 16.51m and taking third in the shot put with a 11.97m toss. Her weight throw ranks 21st on the national season leaderboard.
Morgan McClernan added the Orediggers' other program record Saturday, earning his first-career NAIA 'B' time in the men's 60m hurdles at 8.13 seconds. That ranks 20th in the NAIA this season.
In the throws,
Cade VanVleet improved his standing in the national rankings in the men's shot put with a 16.91m throw. That moved the senior up to No. 3 in the NAIA on the year. He had already achieved the 'A' mark. VanVleet also took second in the weight throw at 17.02m.
Several other Oredigger men notched event wins.
Colby Martinez topped the list in the long jump (6.87m),
Ricky Williams won the high jump (1.94m),
Jaxon Allery won the 60m dash (6.89), and
Matthew Moreni crossed the line first in the 200m (21.88). Moreni teamed with
Adam Schrader,
Konnor Gregerson, and McClernan to win the 4x300m relay at 2:18.70.
For the Tech women,
Jadyn Vermillion won the 60m dash in 7.80,
Alayna Hurd took first in the 200m (26.19), and
Amy Broek won the 3,000m (11:02.40). The quartet of
Peyton Walker,
Kamryn Comba,
Terryn Chirrick, and Clark won the 4x300m relay (2:51.27).
Meanwhile, in Pocatello, Idaho, three Oredigger men competed in the Mountain State Games' heptathlon. Sophomore
Jacob Dolezal finished tops for Montana Tech, taking fourth with 4,192 points. Junior
Cameron Tobiness followed not far behind in fifth with 4,056 points, and sophomore
Evan Kinley was ninth with 3,581.
Those scores will count as Montana Tech's marks for the inaugural Frontier Conference indoor championships, the rest of which will take place next weekend, February 21-22, at the Sanford-Jackrabbit Athletic Complex in Brookings, S.D.
Visit Montana Tech athletics' home online, GoDiggers.com, anytime for up-to-the-minute news and coverage of the Orediggers. Give Montana Tech athletics a like on Facebook, and follow the Orediggers on X and Instagram at @DiggerAthletics.
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