MISSOULA -- Montana Tech's track & field program earned more NAIA national qualifying standards Saturday with a successful trip to Missoula for the Al Manuel Invitational.
Senior
Morgan McClernan led the way again for the Oredigger men with a pair of national 'B' standards in the hurdles events. He won the 110-meter hurdles in 14.30 seconds, just .01 off his own program record, and followed that with a program record and 'B' cut in the 400m hurdles, crossing the line in 52.84. That time ranks fourth in the country.
Jadyn Vermillion led the charge for the Montana Tech women. The senior won the long jump with a 5.89m leap, earning the 'B' standard and the third-best mark in the NAIA so far this outdoor season.
On the track,
Alyssa Jany raced to second in the 3,000m Steeplechase at 11:47.34, putting the senior seventh on the NAIA leaderboard. The 4x400m relay squad of
Terryn Chirrick,
Kamryn Comba,
Sydney Schneider, and
Ryleigh Kleinke climed the national leaderboard to 14th, completing four laps in 4:07.77 to finish second.
Comba added a 10th-place finish in the 1,500m with a personal-best of 4:48.02, moving the senior to second on Montana Tech's all-time performance list and 19th in the NAIA this season.
Piper Jette continued her hot start to the outdoor season with a third-place high jump finish. The sophomore cleared 1.60m to move to 17th on the NAIA's leaderboard and second all-time at Montana Tech.
On the men's side, freshman
Jaxon Allery broke the program's 100m dash record, coming across in 10.60 seconds to finish fourth. He also placed fifth in the 200m, posting the 33rd-fastest time in the NAIA this season at 22.81.
The 4x400m relay of
Gavin Ulland,
Lucas Kadillak,
Michael Marlow, and
Konnor Gregerson also moved up on the national list, coming in third at 3:22.93. That time ranks 25th in the nation.
Montana Tech's track & field program will begin a three-week homestand next with the first installment of the Montana Tech Spring Series Saturday on the Charlie Merrifield Track at East Middle School in Butte.
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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