POCATELLO, Idaho — The Montana Tech track & field teams competed at the Mountain State Games hosted by Idaho State over the weekend. The first-year team continues to improve with a number of athletes finishing on the podium.
The Orediggers faced competition from NAIA schools as well as NCAA Division I and II programs. (Results)
“I think overall this was our best meet to date as a full program,” head coach Zach Kughn said. “Natylia and Drake really shined grabbing overall wins, but I think it was the countless personal bests across all event groups that made the weekend special. It was also a fun opportunity for us to have our first two-day meet and overnight trip as a full team.”
Sprinter Natylia Jacobson finished first in the 200m with a time of 25.58 seconds and second in the 60m with a time of 7.84.
Drake Schlachter continues to impress in the long jump. Schlachter took first place in the long jump with a personal best 22’3”. The first-place finish was the second of the season for the freshman.
Hailee Stiles was the top NAIA athlete in the long jump taking third with a mark of 16 feet, 5 inches.
Naiya Beaudin finished seventh in the triple jump reaching 33’11.25”. Beaudin was also the top NAIA finisher in the pentathlon.
River Sheppard and Ian Barville had the top finishes for NAIA competitors in their races. Sheppard took 16th in the 5k with a time of 16:00 minutes and Barville took 18th with a time of 4:32.15.
The women’s 1,600-meter relay team finished in seventh place and were the top NAIA team at the meet.
“Every meet we are suing as motivation and a stepping stone toward our outdoor conference championship.”
The Orediggers will compete at the Singer Open Friday and Saturday in Spearfish, South Dakota.
