Montana State University Billings Cross Country 2016 Quick Facts University Information
Location: Billings, MT Address: 1500 University Drive 59101 Established: 1927 Enrollment: 4,300 Chancellor: Dr. Mark Nook University Website: www.msubillings.edu
Yellowjacket Athletics Information
Affiliation: NCAA Division II Conference: Great Northwest Athletic Conference Colors: Navy, Gold Nickname: Yellowjackets Faculty Athletic Representative: Dr. Scott Harris Athletic Director/SWA: Krista Montague Sports Information Contact: Birgitta Gray Phone: 406-896-5917 Email: birgitta.gray@msubillings.edu Athletics Website: www.msubsports.com MSUB Sports on Twitter: @MSUBSports MSUB Sports on Facebook: MSUB Sports MSUB Sports on Instagram: MSUB Sports MSUB Sports on YouTube: MSUB Sports
TABLE OF CONTENTS
About MSUB...........................................................................................................................3 2016 Schedule.......................................................................................................................4 About Yellowjacket Athletics..................................................................................................5 Community Service................................................................................................................7 New Faces: 2015-16 Freshman Ivan Colmenero.....................................................................8 Yellowjacket Athletic Director Krista Montague...................................................................11 Head Coach Dave Coppock....................................................................................................12 Assistant Coaches.................................................................................................................13 2016 NCAA West Region Championships..............................................................................15 2016 Women’s Roster...........................................................................................................16 2016 Men’s Roster................................................................................................................17 2016 Women’s Season Preview............................................................................................18 2016 Men’s Season Preview.................................................................................................21 2016 Team by Class..............................................................................................................24 Women’s Runner Profiles.....................................................................................................26 New Faces: 2015-16 Freshman Josey Smiedala....................................................................42 Feature Story: 2015-16 Senior Robert Peterson...................................................................45 Men’s Runner Profiles...........................................................................................................50 Program History...................................................................................................................69 MSUB Athletics Administration............................................................................................71 MSUB Athletics Coaches.......................................................................................................72
MSUB Cross Country Staff
Head Coach: Dave Coppock, 27th year Phone: 406-591-9598 Email: dcoppock@msubillings.edu Assistant Coach: Jon Woehl Phone: 406-869-2349 Email: jonathan.woehl@msubillings.edu Athletic Trainer: Tom Ebel Phone: 406-657-2375 Email: tebel@msubillings.edu
MSUB Cross Country History
First Year of cross country: 1989 NCAA Team Appearances Men: 1 Women: 0
MSUB Cross Country Team Information Home Course: Amend Park Returners/Lost Men: 8/2 Women: 5/4 Newcomers Men: 3 Women: 6 Redshirts Men: 0 Women: 0 Facebook: MSUBDistance Twitter: @MSUBXCTF
2 | 2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com
ABOUT MSUB Montana State University Billings has been an integral part of the Billings community and a student-centered learning environment since its early days as Eastern Montana College. Founded in 1927, the university continues to nurture a longstanding tradition of educational access, teaching excellence, civic engagement and community enhancement in an urban setting. In the classroom and in the community, students receive a well-rounded unique education and training for Associate’s, Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees for careers through the University’s five colleges — arts and sciences, business, allied health professions, education and City College. Location Set in the largest city in the state, Montana State University Billings and the community of Billings combine for a unique college experience: engaged and encouraging faculty; friendly people; a supportive community; and incredible educational opportunities. Residents of Billings have a long track record of supporting the university through scholarships, internships and civic engagement. A regional retail, financial and medical hub, Billings offers vast array of job opportunities, personal connections and leadership opportunities via three campuses spread through the city. Life on the main campus mirrors that of Billings: Students are happy to mingle on some of the 110 park-like acres at the base of the spectacular Rimrocks or take part in a variety of cultural, service, athletic or educational activities. Whether a motivated honors student or first-generation attendee, all learners will find challenges that fulfill both individual goals and societal needs.
2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com | 3
2016 Montana State University Billings Yellowjackets Cross Country Schedule Day Date Event Location Time (Local) Friday Sept. 2 at South Dakota School of Mines Rapid City, S.D. 10 a.m. South Dakota Mines Invitational Friday Sept. 9 at Black Hills State University Yellow Jacket Invitational
Spearfish, S.D. Spearfish Canyon CC
10 a.m.
Saturday Sept. 17 at Montana State University Montana State Invitational
Bozeman, MT 9 a.m. Bridger Creek Country Club
Saturday Sept. 23 Montana State University Billings Billings, MT Yellowjacket Invitational Amend Park NCAA Division II West Region Preview
10 a.m.
Saturday Oct. 1 at Colorado University Boulder, CO Rocky Mountain Shootout Buffalo Ranch
9 a.m.
Saturday Oct. 8 Montana State University Billings Billings, MT Yellowjacket Open Riverfront Park
10 a.m.
Saturday Oct. 22 at Western Washington University Bellingham, WA GNAC Championships Lake Padden Park
10 a.m.
Saturday Nov. 5 Montana State University Billings Billings, MT NCAA Division II West Region Champ. Amend Park
10 a.m.
Saturday Nov. 19 Saint Leo University NCAA Division II National Champ.
11 a.m.
Saint Leo, FL
4 | 2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com
ABOUT YELLOWJACKET ATHLETICS Home of the Yellowjackets, the Montana State University Billings department of intercollegiate athletics supports 15 men’s and women’s varsity sports which compete in the NCAA at the Division II level. MSUB is one of 11 full-time members of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, which features 11 championships throughout each academic year. More than 240 student-athletes compete on MSUB’s teams, and members of Yellowjacket teams posted a collective 3.15 grade point average during the 2015-16 academic year. MSUB-sponsored varsity sports include men’s and women’s teams in basketball, cheer/ stunt, cross-country, golf, soccer, indoor and outdoor track & field, as well as baseball, softball, and women’s volleyball. Highlights from the 2015-16 season included a second NCAA West Region Championships berth for MSUB’s women’s basketball team in the last three years, as the Yellowjackets played their way to the title game of the GNAC tournament before advancing. Junior Alisha Breen led the GNAC in scoring with 17.4 points per game, and senior Janiel Olson broke the school’s career rebounding record. Senior Della Lyle stole the show on the track for the ‘Jackets, becoming the first All-American in school history on the women’s side. She was selected as the GNAC Newcomer of the Year in both indoor and outdoor seasons, and represented the Yellowjackets at the NCAA National Championships. On the baseball diamond, the ‘Jackets claimed their second straight GNAC regular-season title, setting a program record with 30 victories including their first-ever postseason win in the conference tournament. Junior Cody Cooper shattered the school record with 106 strikeouts in 99 1/3 innings, and senior Luke Reinschmidt closed his historic career by earning first-team all-region honors for a second straight season. MSUB’s men’s soccer team also had a highlight year, posting its first winning season since 2012. Sophomore Ricardo Palomino led the entire NCAA west region in goals with 16, and earned first-team all-region honors. In women’s soccer, the ‘Jackets advanced to their third GNAC Championship tournament in the last four seasons, after posting a second consecutive winning year. MSUB hosted three conference championship events and an NCAA Division II West Region Championship for the first time ever during the 2014-15 year. The ‘Jackets welcomed more than 30 teams to Billings on Nov. 22, 2014 for the NCAA Division II West Region Championships at Amend Park, hosted the 2014-15 Men’s and Women’s GNAC Basketball Championships from March 4-7, 2015 at Alterowitz Gym, and capped off the year by hosting the 2015 GNAC Baseball Championships from May 7-8 at Dehler Park. MSUB also serves as the host of the largest NCAA Division II softball tournament, the Desert Stinger Classic, which was played for the sixth year in a row from Feb. 12-14, 2015 at Majestic Park in Las Vegas.
MSUB/EMC Conference Championships Sport Year Men’s Basketball 1962 Men’s Basketball 1963 Men’s Basketball 1964 Men’s Basketball 1965 Men’s Basketball 1968 Men’s Basketball 1970 Men’s Basketball 1971 Men’s Basketball 1972 Men’s Basketball 1973 Men’s Basketball 1975 Men’s Basketball 1976 Men’s Basketball 1980 Men’s Basketball 1986 Men’s Basketball 1987 Men’s Basketball 1996 Men’s Basketball 1998 Men’s Basketball 2002 Men’s Basketball 2006 Men’s Basketball 2012 Women’s Basketball 1987 Women’s Basketball 1991 Women’s Basketball 1996 Women’s Basketball 1998 Women’s Basketball 1999 Women’s Basketball 2002 Women’s Basketball 2006 Women’s Basketball 2007 Women’s Basketball 2014 Women’s Volleyball 2006 Softball 2009 Softball 2012 Softball 2015 Baseball 2015 Baseball 2016 Football 1947 Football 1948 Football 1957 Football 1958 Football 1959 Football 1960 Football 1964 Football 1965 Football 1966 Football 1968 Football 1971 Football 1975
2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com | 5
ABOUT YELLOWJACKET ATHLETICS The 2014-15 year also featured three All-American athletes from MSUB, including senior Kayleen Goggins (women’s basketball), junior Robert Peterson (men’s indoor track & field), and senior Brody Miller (baseball). Miller was also selected as the 201415 GNAC Male Athlete of the Year for all sports, just the second baseball player in the conference’s history to win the award, and the second student-athlete from MSUB to collect the honor as he joined women’s basketball star Bobbi Knudsen (2013-14). Capturing GNAC crowns during the 2014-15 year were MSUB’s baseball and softball teams. The Yellowjackets won the 2015 GNAC Softball Championships and advanced all the way to the semifinals of the NCAA Division II West Region Championships in May. MSUB’s women’s soccer team also competed for a GNAC Championship title, finishing in second place in the conference standings and earning the No. 2 seed into the conference tournament in the fall of 2014. In men’s golf, senior Jake Hedge also represented the ‘Jackets at the NCAA Regional level, competing as an individual in the championships in Monterey Bay, Calif., from May 6-8, 2015. In 2013-14, the MSUB women’s basketball team made history by winning the 2013-14 Great Northwest Athletic Conference regular season title and advancing to the NCAA Division II west regional championship game. MSUB’s 2013-14 women’s basketball team joined the Yellowjackets’ 1998-99 squad as the only two in program history to advance to the NCAA regional title game. The latter continued on to the Elite Eight, marking the furthest-advancing MSUB team in the school’s history. In 2012, the MSUB softball team won the GNAC regular season title with a 32-18 overall record and earned hosting privileges for the 2013 conference softball tournament. The 2012 Yellowjacket men’s basketball team also earned a conference title, defeating the University of Alaska Anchorage 74-70 in the GNAC tournament championship game. Formerly known as Eastern Montana College, MSUB athletics stem back to the 1927-28 season, the year in which the university was founded. The Yellowjackets have competed in a number of different conferences throughout the years, and prior to the 1980-81 season the athletic department transitioned from the NAIA to competing at the NCAA Division II level. The MSUB Hall of Fame and Distinction inducted its inaugural class in 1990 and serves as a tribute towards influential figures on and off the court, in both current and retired sports.
6 | 2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com
NAIA National Tournament Appearances Sport Year Men’s Basketball 1963 Men’s Basketball 1964 Men’s Basketball 1965 Men’s Basketball 1967 Men’s Basketball 1968 Men’s Basketball 1970 Men’s Basketball 1972 Men’s Basketball 1973 Men’s Basketball 1975 Men’s Basketball 1976 NCAA D2 National Tournament Appearances Sport Year Men’s Basketball 1981 Men’s Basketball 1982 Men’s Basketball 1985 Men’s Basketball 1986 Men’s Basketball 1987 Men’s Basketball 1996 Men’s Basketball 1997 Men’s Basketball 1998 Men’s Basketball 2002 Men’s Basketball 2012 Women’s Basketball 1987 Women’s Basketball 1994 Women’s Basketball 1996 Women’s Basketball 1997 Women’s Basketball 1998 Women’s Basketball 1999 Women’s Basketball 2000 Women’s Basketball 2002 Women’s Basketball 2003 Women’s Basketball 2005 Women’s Basketball 2007 Women’s Basketball 2014 Women’s Basketball 2016 Softball 2005 Softball 2009 Softball 2012 Softball 2015 Volleyball 2006 Women’s Soccer 2010
‘JACKETS IN THE COMMUNITY MSUB’s cross country team dedicates significant time each school year to give back to the Billings community through various service and engagement activities. The Yellowjackets are active from fall to spring, making an effort to reach out to those in need throughout the community.
The cross country team was a major contributor to MSUB’s athletics department’s more than 1,400 community service hours registered during the 2015-16 academic year, and the ‘Jackets will continue their community service and engagement initiatives beginning again in the 2016 fall season.
2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com | 7
New Faces: MSUB cross country/track and field freshman Ivan Colmenero Monday, February 15, 2016 Handling the variety of demands from being in season for almost the entire academic year is something that has come naturally for Yellowjacket distance runner Ivan Colmenero. MSUB SPORTS – September to the middle of May. That is the amount of time that a three-sport student-athlete spends competing at his or her top level. Not many people are crazy enough to put themselves through that physically, let alone mentally. Freshman Ivan Colmenero, Montana State University Billings cross country and track runner, is just insane enough to dare his body to be pushed to its limits and beyond. He wills his body every day no matter where he is, no matter if he’s tired, sore, or didn’t get enough sleep. He wills himself to pound out a run because he knows every mile counts, and that every run missed is a missed opportunity to improve and achieve his goals. He knows that Sunday morning long runs will make his grueling 10k at the end of cross country season seem like child’s play; that his interval workouts on the track for the indoor season that demand him to run faster than his mile race pace lead to PRs in the 3k; that those loathsome 1,000m repetitions create a mental toughness that even the 12.5 laps around an outdoor track can’t break. For Colmenero there is no offseason. Colmenero was not always a runner, but watching him compete at the NCAA Division II this year, one would think he has been running the majority of his life. Colmenero appears relaxed and at ease whether he is racing around a cross country course or clicking off laps on a track. This young athlete has challenged himself to become a distance runner for the Yellowjackets, and he isn’t disappointing. “During cross country he progressed every week,” stated head cross country and track and field coach Dave Coppock. “He’s always really anxious to get out there to compete and even to train. I never seem to have to push him very hard because he is very self-motivated.” While in high school Colmenero tried to focus on basketball, until running was introduced to him his senior year by Manhattan High School’s cross country and track coach, John Sillitti. Coach Sillitti soon became an important person to Colmenero. “He had wanted me to run since I was a freshman in high school,” remembered Colmenero. “I finally approached him after my junior year to see if I could join the team. Sillitti was always very supportive of me, encouraging me to continue running even if I had a bad day or race.” Colmenero still counts Sillitti as one of his best friends even as he continues his running career in Billings.
8 | 2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com
Coach Coppock heard of Colmenero through a recommendation from Sillitti. “His high school coach told me about him so I looked up his times and he seemed to be doing really well,” recounted Coppock. “Sillitti said he was a really hard worker and that the team really liked him.” Nothing has changed since Sillitti talked to Coppock. Colmenero still incorporates an outstanding work ethic and positive attitude into his sport. He can be seen putting a smile on his teammates’ faces before, during, and after practices. Colmenero found himself at MSUB for the chance to continue his love of running while earning a degree in Spanish education. “I love being a student-athlete,” remarked the runner. Colmenero has also come to the realization that becoming a student-athlete is one of his biggest accomplishments. “I think being a student-athlete takes a lot of commitment for us. We have to balance school, work, meets, practices, and social life. It is a big accomplishment to be able to achieve.” Colmenero is a sophomore in his academic studies, but retains his freshman eligibility athletically. He spent his first year at MSUB as a redshirt athlete. “I really wanted to compete last year and had been looking forward to being a part of this team,” said Colmenero. “It was heartbreaking not being able to do anything with them because I felt like I wasn’t very connected to everyone on the team.” Both Colmenero and Coppock agreed that the extra year helped Colmenero better prepare himself for the mileage and workouts that it takes to be a collegiate runner. “He was injured so in the end it was probably fine that he didn’t run that first year,” Coppock said referring to Colmenero’s redshirt season. “He got over his injury and started to adjust to college running.” Colmenero reminisced about how much easier high school running was compared to at the collegiate level. “I did not expect it to be so hard. Everyone has a lot more passion for running at this level.” Colmenero saw his first collegiate level competition in the wilderness of Alaska back in early September. “I thought it was going to be just like high school. I figured I would be able to stay up with our front crew, but I went out a little too fast,” commented Colmenero. “I learned from that experience to be more patient during races.” His thoughts on his first track meet differed a little as he described how he and his teammate Tyus Mendoza worked extremely well together throughout their race. “We worked together to improve each other. We ran our race, not our competition’s race.” Flourishing under this intense amount of competing Colmenero continues to improve throughout his seasons. Academically, Colmenero finds school to be fairly easy. “Classes are a lot more condensed compared to high school, but I think I am doing well with the workload.” Colmenero has chosen to earn a degree in Spanish to either become an educator or translator, and will supplement it with a history minor. He fluently speaks Spanish, which stems from living in Mexico until he was a seventh grader. His mother and siblings still live in the state of Chihuahua in Mexico. Colmenero has lived in the Bozeman-Manhattan area of Montana with his uncle, Cecilio, since he was a seventh grader. “My uncle has been very helpful with preparing me for events in my life,” said Colmenero gratefully about all the things that his uncle has done for him. Even though he has his friends, team, and uncle in Montana, there is still a void in Colmenero’s life that can only be filled by the family that he had to leave behind in Mexico. Being away from his family is one sacrifice that he has had to make in order to be a collegiate athlete. He does not let this hardship cripple him though. Instead he uses it and many other obstacles he faces as a learning opportunity. “I want to be self-sufficient. So being away from my family does help my abilities to manage my life and be responsible,” said Colmenero. 2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com | 9
“I did not get to visit my family for Christmas this year because I needed to stay here and train for track,” said the freshman. “I spent it with some family friends and my uncle in Bozeman, but it’s been about a year since I have been able to see my family.” He hopefully plans to visit his family this upcoming summer when his training regimen won’t be as rigorous. Colmenero has a passion for running that others find admirable. “Once he started running, you could just see that fire in his eyes. There is just something about him. He’s got that spark,” commented senior track and cross country captain Robert Peterson. “I really admire how hard he pushes himself, whether it’s consistently doing his pool workouts while he was injured, or just in practice.” Peterson has been an inspiration to Colmenero throughout his time at MSUB, as well as a good friend. “Ivan always comes to me and asks me for advice, which is cool,” comments Peterson. Because of Peterson, Colmenero knows that hard work and dedication will lead him to the top of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference competition. “The team is always supportive of me whether I’m injured or competing,” said Colmenero. “We all help each other keep our heads up and encourage one another.” The Yellowjacket could list off a million reasons how his team is supportive and fun to be around, but there is no need. Anyone who encounters Colmenero and his teammates can see the evident team bond that these athletes have created through all the team dinners, pumpkin carving, bus rides, and countless hours of doing what they all love, running. There is a quote that states, “It’s very hard to understand in the beginning that the whole idea is not to beat the other runners. Eventually you learn that the competition is against the little voice inside you that wants to quit.” Ivan Colmenero embodies this quote. He has been through redshirting, injuries, exhausting workouts, 16 mile long runs, and no offseasons. He has never quit, doesn’t complain, and continues to improve. Simply saying that he is a hard-working and nice person would not suffice to capture his high-spirited personality. To fully capture all that is him, one would have to pull on a pair of running shoes, buy a pair of Mexican themed running shorts, and hit the roads with this aspiring athlete.
10 | 2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com
Yellowjacket AD Krista Montague Krista (Fjelstad) Montague is entering her 14th year of employment at MSU Billings and her fourth as director of intercollegiate athletics in 2016-17. Montague led the athletic department’s 240-plus student-athletes to another successful year on the playing field and in the classroom in 2015-16, as the cumulative grade point average surpassed 3.0 and 48 individuals earned academic all-conference honors. Montague will also serve as a mentor for the NCAA Division II Athletic Directors Association Mentoring Program starting in the 2016-17 academic year. In 2014-15, MSUB hosted several marquee championship events for the first time ever. In November, MSUB welcomed the 2014 NCAA Division II Cross Country West Region Championships to Billings, which included participation from 32 teams across the region. MSUB also hosted the 2014-15 GNAC Basketball Championships and the 2015 GNAC Baseball Championships during the academic year. MSUB’s softball team advanced to the NCAA Division II West Region Championship game after winning the GNAC Championships title, and the Yellowjackets’ baseball team also claimed a conference title during 2014-15. During her first year at the helm of the athletic department, Montague successfully secured hosting responsibilities for the upcoming 2014 NCAA cross country west regional championships and 2014-15 Great Northwest Athletic Conference men’s and women’s basketball championships. Montague began her employment with MSUB in July of 2002 as the department’s development and marketing director. Shortly after being hired, she was appointed to the position of senior woman administrator, making her the highest-ranking female administrator in the athletic department. When Montana State University Billings announced the hiring of Montague as its new athletic director on May 10, 2013, it became the first NCAA institution in Montana to have a female athletic director. In 2005, the titles of assistant AD and NCAA compliance coordinator were added to her duties, while she still managed the corporate partnership program and special events for the department. In 2009, Montague was promoted to associate AD. As associate AD, her primary responsibilities included overseeing and managing NCAA II compliance for each of the 17 sports and co-ed cheer, as well serving as a crucial member of the athletics administration team and academic liaison between the different campus constituencies and athletics. Montague, a native of Eastern Montana, received her undergraduate degree in business administration with an option in marketing in 1999 from MSU Billings. Montague was a four-year letterwinner for the MSUB women’s basketball team and left the program with the school record for career free-throw percentage. As a senior, Montague helped MSU Billings to the West Region Championship and the program's first and only Elite Eight appearance in women’s basketball. Montague is a member of NACDA (National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics) and NACWAA (National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators), as well as various other state and local organizations. In 201112, she served on NACWAA’s Legislation & Governance Committee, and also served as a member of the NCAA II Softball West Regional Advisory Committee in 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011. Before joining the MSU Billings athletic staff full time, Montague was the athletic department’s part-time corporate partnership director and held various positions for DD Marketing (Pueblo, Colo.), Norwest Bank, and Billings Clinic. Montague recently completed a master's degree in public relations at MSU Billings. She lives in West Billings with her husband Brent and two daughters Shayla (14) and Allie (12). 2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com | 11
Yellowjacket Head Coach Dave Coppock Dave Coppock is entering his 28th season as head coach of both Yellowjacket cross-country teams and is entering his eighth as the MSUB track and field head coach since the program returned during the 2008-2009 season. Coppock coached seniors Della Lyle and Robert Peterson to the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field National Championships in 2015-16, where Lyle became the first female All-American in MSUB’s track & field history. Under Coppock’s guidance, Peterson also competed in the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships, after reclaiming his title as the GNAC Mile Champion and helping MSUB’s distance medley relay team to the GNAC indoor title as well. A former cross-country and track runner at the University of Northern Iowa and University of Montana, Coppock has produced 32 all-conference (track & field) and five NCAA all-region runners in cross-country. He has coached 17 NCAA DII National Track & Field Championships provisional qualifiers with two automatic qualifiers and two NCAA appearances. From his track and field teams, he has produced 10 champions. He has also had multiple NCAA DII all-region track performers, including Lyle and Peterson last season. In distance running, Coppock has coached two former cross-country runners (Sarah Graves and Heidi Reider Schuette) who became U.S. Olympic marathon trials qualifiers. Under Coppock’s guidance in 2014-15, junior Robert Peterson became the first-ever Yellowjacket to earn a spot in the NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships. He also earned USTFCCCA All-American honors after finishing 10th in the mile at the 2015 Indoor Championships. The Yellowjackets also hosted the 2014 NCAA Division II Cross Country West Region Championships at Amend Park in Billings in Nov., 2014. More than 30 teams from across the region competed in the event, which will be held at the same course again during the 2016 season. In 2013-14, under Coach Coppock’s direction, the men’s and women’s track and field teams produced a record number of all-conference and GNAC champions. At the GNAC Indoor Championships, sophomore Robert Peterson ran a meet record in the men’s 1500m to win the conference title. At the GNAC Outdoor Championships, it was senior Chase Robinson who took the men’s 1500 title, with Peterson .37 second behind. Corrie Holm was a conference champion for the women’s track and field team. She won the conference title at the GNAC Outdoor Championships in the women’s discus. In 2006, the Yellowjacket women won the Heartland Conference Championships and four men and women were named to the all-conference teams. The 2006 women were also ranked as high as 10th in the NCAA South Central Region. His teams over the years have placed as high as second in the Pacific West Conference (twice) and fifth in the NCAA West Region. Under Coppock's guidance, the Yellowjackets have also been ranked as high as No. 16 in the nation. In addition to the success Coppock's teams have had on the course, they have also been among the most successful teams in the nation in the classroom. Both the women’s and men’s programs have perennially been named to the NCAA Division II Cross Country Coaches Association All-Academic teams and have maintained one of the highest team grade point averages in the nation. A 1979 graduate of Montana with a degree in geology, Coppock still runs competitively. He was named the 2006 Heartland Conference Women’s Coach of the Year and has been named the Montana USATF Road Racer of the Year two times.
12 | 2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com
Yellowjacket Assistant Coach Jonathan Woehl Jonathan Woehl will begin his second season as the assistant men’s and women’s cross country and track and field coach in 2016-17. Under Woehl’s guidance in 2015-16, MSUB’s student-athletes broke numerous track and field school records, particularly in the areas of jumps and hurdles. Woehl joined the Montana State University Billings staff after spending a year as the Southwest Minnesota State University assistant cross country and track and field coach. Prior to that, Woehl was the program’s graduate assistant for two years while earning his master’s degree in business administration and marketing. Originally from Ankeny, Iowa, Woehl attended Northwest College in Orange City, Iowa, where he was a 4-year letter winner in track and cross country. He is the school record holder in the half marathon for the Red Raiders, completing his undergraduate in 2008 with a double major in mathematics and art. Woehl was a national qualifier in the NAIA marathon in 2008, and was a leader on the team as the designated captain his senior season. During his time as a graduate assistant, Woehl oversaw the recruiting efforts of the coaching staff. During his stint at SMSU, Woehl coached the distance runners and horizontal jumpers.
Yellowjacket Assistant Coach Mark Bolt
MSUB alumnus Mark Bolt begins his second season as a volunteer assistant coach for the Yellowjackets’ cross country and track and field programs in 2016-17. Bolt was an all-state runner in high school at Billings Skyview and ran two years of cross country and track at the University of Montana. Bolt ultimately transferred to MSUB where he completed his degree and competed in two seasons of cross country and one season of track. Bolt continues to run competitively and recently ran a half marathon in a personal record time of 1:15:23 in 2014. Bolt spent the last 10 years coaching cross country and track at Billings Skyview. He coached numerous all-state runners as well as city champions, divisional champions, two state champions, and several school record holders. In the eight years prior to his arrival at Skyview, there had only been one boy and one girl all-state runner in cross country, and no state placers in track for the distance events. In his first season at Skyview, Bolt coached two boys and one girl to all-state honors. All three of them went on to place at the state track meet that following spring. Bolt helped Skyview’s men’s cross country team finish in third place at the state meet in the same year. In the 10 years prior to that they had not finished higher than eighth.
2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com | 13
Yellowjacket Volunteer Assistant Coach Matt Winter 2015: Named 2015 GNAC Newcomer of the Year...steadily improved performances during senior season…highest finish was fifth at Yellowjacket Invitational in 25:55.18…completed three top-10 finishes…placed 29th at GNAC Championships in 26:21.40…placed 56th at NCAA west region championships in 31:36.59. University of Montana: Ran cross country and track and field for three years as a Grizzly...personal best in the 8k is 25:27...personal best in the 10k is 32:08. Billings Central High School: Was a member of the 2001 Class A cross country team that placed first... runner-up at state in 2001...champion in 2002 in 15:17 at the state meet while helping the Rams finish second as a team.
14 | 2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com
For the second time in the last three years, MSUB will host the NCAA Division II Men’s and Women’s Cross Country West Region Championships at Amend Park. More than 30 teams from throughout the west region will converge on Billings for the event on Nov. 5, 2016, in a field of nearly 400 runners. Both Yellowjacket teams will participate in the event, with the men’s 10k race beginning at 10 a.m. and the women’s 6k distance following at 11:15 a.m.
2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com | 15
2016 MSUB Yellowjackets Women’s Cross Country Roster Name Nikki Aiken Sarah Beatty Bailey Bomar Lydia Foster Rio Frame Devin McDonald Ella McKenzie Krysten Mossburg Catrina Schuchard Josey Smiedala Ali Walker Kelby Wegner
Cl. Fr. So. Jr. Fr. Sr. So. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Sr. Jr.
Exp. HS 1V 2V HS 3V 1V HS HS HS HS 3V 2V
Hometown (Previous School) Belgrade, MT (Manhattan Christian) Billings, MT (Billings West) Billings, MT (Billings West) Gillette, WY (Campbell County HS) Glendive, MT (Dawson County) Billings, MT (Billings Senior) Livingston, MT (Park County HS) Libby, MT (Libby HS) Harlowton, MT (Harlowton HS) Helena, MT (Helena) Park City, UT (University of Wyoming) Medical Lake, WA (Spokane CC)
Head Coach – Dave Coppock. Assistant Coaches – Jonathan Woehl, Mark Bolt, and Matt Winter. Pronunciation Guide Nikki Aiken – ACHE-in Sarah Beatty – BEAT-ee Bailey Bomar – BOE-mar Dave Coppock – COP-ick Catrina Schuchard – SHOE-card
2016 MSUB Women’s Cross Country Team. 16 | 2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com
2016 MSUB Yellowjackets Men’s Cross Country Roster Name Ivan Colmenero Jorey Egeland Isaiah Girard Mark Hovland Garrett Love Jacob Marshall Liam McKay Kyle McLaughlin Tyus Mendoza Josh Panasuk Ronald Venema
Cl. So. Jr. Fr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Fr. So. Sr. Fr.
Exp. 1V 2V HS 2V 3V 3V 1V HS 1V 3V HS
Hometown (Previous School) Manhattan, MT (Manhattan) Billings, MT (Billings Senior) Dillon, MT (Beaverhead County HS) Billings, MT (Billings West) Billings, MT (Billings West) Seward, AK (Seward) Surrey, BC (Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary) Belgrade, MT (Belgrade HS) Colstrip, MT (Colstrip) Butte, MT (Butte) Corvallis, MT (Corvallis HS)
Head Coach – Dave Coppock. Assistant Coaches – Jonathan Woehl, Mark Bolt, and Matt Winter. Pronunciation Guide Jorey Egeland – JOR-ee EGG-el-und Mark Hovland – HUV-lind Liam McKay – LEE-um Josh Panasuk – PAN-uh-suck Dave Coppock – COP-ick
2016 MSUB Men’s Cross Country Team. 2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com | 17
2016 MSUB women’s cross country preview August 29, 2016 Four-year Yellowjacket Rio Frame and the MSU Billings women’s cross country teams are looking forward to working on a new foundational year during the 2016 season. BILLINGS, Mont. – Next week the Montana State University Billings women’s cross country team opens its regular season with a race in South Dakota. The 2016 Yellowjackets will look to rebound from a down year with a boost of energy from a strong freshman class along with several seasoned competitors. Four-year Yellowjacket Rio Frame is set to conclude her senior season on the cross country course. A decorated member of the team, Frame has been a top-5 finisher for the ‘Jackets since she joined the team as a freshman. Last year the native of Glendive, Mont., had to contend with a mid-season injury, but the top returner has been working hard all summer and her expectations are high for her fourth and final season of competition. “I want to improve on my season from last year,” Frame commented. “I had some injuries last year so I want to be healthy and injury-free this year. I am going to take it one race at a time and I want to improve every time I go out there and compete.” “I am really hoping Rio has a good senior year and I know that she wants to do that,” MSUB head coach Dave Coppock said. “She is a really good leader for the team. She holds people accountable and is a good example as she is dedicated to the program and training hard.” Frame was the top finisher at both the conference and NCAA west region championships for the Yellowjackets last season. She holds the fourth fastest time ever by a woman at MSUB in the 6,000 meters at 21:48 (2014) and is capable of lowering that time if she stays healthy this year. Joining Frame as an upperclassman this year is Bailey Bomar. The junior product of Billings West has been a steady performer for the ‘Jackets the last two seasons, showing improvement at each competition. Last year Bomar posted a personal best in the 6K at the NCAA west region competition with a time of 25:04.4.
18 | 2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com
“She has been pretty consistent and has improved every year and should have a good season,” Coppock said on the third-year athlete. “She will be in the top-5 for us and will help our depth. I also know she has been working really hard this summer to be ready for fall competition.” Returning for their second season with MSUB are Sarah Beatty and Devin McDonald. Beatty competed in all seven races for the Yellowjackets as a true freshman. She had a top-20 finish at the Yellowjacket Invitational with a time of 28:52.93. McDonald missed the first two races of the season, but finished strong. Like Beatty, McDonald had a top-20 finish at the home race, posting a time of 29:05.09 on the course at Amend Park. “Last year Sarah and Devin were really having to get used to collegiate-level competition,” Coppock commented on the two sophomores. “That experience has sunk in and got them to train harder this summer. This year they will know what to expect a little more. They are great teammates and both really positive influences on the team.” Six freshmen are set to compete this season. Josey Smiedala from Helena, Mont., redshirted last season on the cross country team, but had a standout season for the Yellowjackets in track and is expected to contribute as a top-5 runner. Nikki Aiken begins her collegiate career as a Yellowjacket a four-year letter winner from Manhattan Christian. Aiken trained with the ‘Jackets last season and did well competing as an unattached runner. “I think Nikki will really make an impact on the team,” Coppock said on the freshman. “I know she has worked really hard over the last year. I think she will be ready to step up and has the potential to be a top-3 runner. She worked hard to keep herself in shape last year and is ready to be a member of the team. Josey redshirted last year, struggling with injuries before we even started. She has been trying to work this summer and could help us out in the top-5.” Joining the team as true freshmen are Lydia Foster, Ella McKenzie, Krysten Mossburg, and Catrina Schuchard. Foster is from Gillette, Wyo., McKenzie is a native of Livingston, Mont., Mossburg hails from Libby, Mont., and Schuchard comes to MSUB from Harlowton, Mont. Coach Coppock expects the quartet to work hard on adjusting to collegiate competition this year. “I want to bring them along slowly at first to see what they can do. After a few weeks we will see where they fit in the lineup. Hopefully, they can fill in our top-7 to help our depth.” Looking to make waves for the team this year are transfers Kelby Wegner and Ali Walker. Wegner competed for two seasons at Spokane Community College while Walker is joining MSUB from the University of Wyoming. “I am looking forward to seeing what Kelby can do,” Coppock said. “She had quite a lot of experience at SCC and we’ll see where she can fill in to add to our top-5 team depth. Ali has a lot of potential. She is transferring from the University of Wyoming. She has a lot of potential to run at a high level in the conference and region. She is a very strong runner and has a lot of training volume, and I know she works very hard and that will help influence the team.” On the team’s goals this season, Coach Coppock wants to see better team results than last season’s last place finish at the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Championships. MSUB averaged almost three minutes behind first-place Alaska Anchorage and will need to drop its team times by almost two minutes to move into the middle of the pack this year. “We had a really down year in 2015,” Coppock said. “This year the athletes are coming back in a lot better shape than last year. We have a lot of newcomers, but with their talent the team has the ability to get back to the middle of the conference and middle of the region around 15th. The team will have to put together several weeks of uninterrupted training with few injuries and illnesses to reach that goal.”
2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com | 19
The team has three meets on the road to open the 2016 season. First up is a race hosted by South Dakota Mines on Sept. 2 followed by an event at Black Hills State on Sept. 9. The Yellowjackets stay in-state for a race in Bozeman hosted by Montana State on Sept. 17. “The event at Mines will be the team’s first test,” Coppock said. “It is a familiar place for the team, but all three opening races will be a good measure of where the team is at and what they want to accomplish the rest of the season. At the beginning of the season, both meets are fairly low-key so it should be a good entry into the season. By the time we travel to Bozeman it will be a good meet in a more competitive setting.” On Sept. 23, the ‘Jackets will have a chance to preview the west region championship course as MSUB returns to hosting duties in Billings for the NCAA west region championship at Amend Park. The Yellowjacket Invitational will serve as the preview as the team will run the course in an initial competition on Saturday. “We will run a 6K which gives everyone a good idea what to expect and how they want to run the course and to get some experience for the big race on Nov. 5.” The team will next run a very hilly and tough course this year at the Colorado University-hosted Rocky Mountain Shoot-out on Oct. 1. The ‘Jackets will see some very good NCAA Division II competition from multiple regions at the course at Buffalo Ranch in Boulder, Colo. Back in Billings the following week, MSUB will host a tune-up race on Oct. 8 at Riverfront Park before heading to the GNAC Championships hosted by Western Washington on Oct. 22 at Lake Padden Park in Bellingham, Wash. “If everything goes well this season we should be peaking the last two weeks of the season on our home course in front of our home crowd,” Coppock said. “The key to success for our women this year is consistent quality training. They will need to stay healthy for an extended period of time in order to train to the level they need to be at to move up in the conference finish.”
20 | 2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com
2016 MSUB men’s cross country season preview August 29, 2016 The NCAA Division II west region championships return to Billings for the second time as the MSUB men’s cross country team is gearing up for a 2016 postseason that is taking place on its home course. BILLINGS, Mont. – Although Montana State University Billings lost All-American Robert Peterson to graduation, the Yellowjacket men’s cross country team returns a healthy roster of experienced athletes to the 2016 roster. Among them are three seniors who will lead the team through the upcoming season. The Yellowjackets will be without Peterson, the first MSUB men’s cross country runner to advance to the NCAA national meet, as well as the second senior from last season, Great Northwest Athletic Conference Newcomer of the Year Matt Winter. However, the team does return a very solid core of experienced athletes that have the potential to post a top-half finish in the GNAC. The trio of senior leaders on the team will play a big role in setting the tone for this year’s squad. Garrett Love, the first senior on the roster, posted four top-10 results last year for the Yellowjackets and finished second to Peterson at both the conference and west region championships. He holds the second-best time by an MSUB men’s cross country runner at the 10,000-meter distance in 31.12, which he completed at the 2015 west region meet last year in Oregon. Josh Panasuk redshirted last year during cross country, but hasn’t skipped a beat as he competed during last year’s track and field season and is primed for a standout senior outing. The Butte native, turned in three top-20 finishes his junior season and was eighth overall at the Yellowjacket Invitational, helping secure a win for the team in its home event. Jacob Marshall rounds out the senior class for the Yellowjacket team. Like Panasuk, Marshall redshirted last year’s cross country season and is returning for his final year on the team. As a junior he posted two top-25 finishes. Including a 25th-place finish at the Black Hills State Invitational.
2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com | 21
Last year’s team placed fifth at the GNAC championships and 10th at the west region championships in Monmouth, Ore. In last week’s preseason coaches’ poll the Yellowjackets were selected to finish sixth, but head coach Dave Coppock likes the team’s chances with such a strong core that trained hard over the summer to be ready for the upcoming season. “Josh looks really strong after this summer,” Coppock said. “He ran the Montana mile and looked really sharp without having done much speed work. Garrett has been working really hard too. Those two should lead us this season. I will need them to step up and take a larger leadership role as seniors. We are going to miss Robert on the team, but the rest of the men will pull together and pack up really well which will help even things out after losing our top runner. “Jacob has been a real big part of team,” Coppock said on the third senior. “He has helped us out a lot. He always has a great attitude which reflects on the team. He loves the sport and I think that influences the whole team.” The three juniors on the team are all seasoned veterans. Jorey Egeland, Mark Hovland, and Liam McKay have all been top-5 finishers for the ‘Jackets and bring quality racing experience to this year’s team. Egeland, a product of Billings Senior High School, completed three top-20 finishes last year. He was eighth at the Yellowjacket Invitational in 26:18.46 last season and had a top-40 finish at the GNAC Championships. Hovland, from Billings West High School, opened last year with a very strong fifth-place finish at the Moda Health Alaska Invitational and was just ahead of Egeland at the GNAC Championships in 45th with a time of 26:57.70. McKay began his sophomore campaign with two big thirdplace results in Alaska. McKay finished the 8K in 27:19.9 followed by a time of 16:18.0 in the 5K. The native of Canada struggled with an injury during mid-season, but competed strong at the conference championships.
22 | 2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com
“All three are starting to develop as distance runners,” Coppock commented on the junior class. “I think they can run with our seniors. Cross country team placing is all about depth and how close they can finish together. From a team perspective, they have the potential to do really well. Jorey and Mark can be very consistent. They have been training hard this summer and putting in their mileage.” Two sophomores are returning to the team this year. Ivan Colmenero and Tyus Mendoza made big strides in their first season on the team and with a full year of competition under their belt, both will be ready to take on the challenges of their sophomore year. Colmenero competed in seven events last year with a top-25 finish at his first collegiate race in Alaska. Mendoza began his career at the race in Bozeman and by the end of year was a top-5 finisher for the ‘Jackets at both the GNAC and west region championships. New to the roster are freshmen Isaiah Girard (Dillon, Mont.), Kyle McLaughlin (Belgrade, Mont.), and Ronald Venema (Pinesdale, Mont.). “Both Tyus and Ivan did really well as freshmen,” Coppock said. “They will add to our depth this year and have been developing really well. The two sophomores along with the new freshmen have been working hard. It takes a couple of years to get used to the collegiate training, but everyone is progressing really well.” The 2016 Yellowjackets will begin their season on familiar ground at the South Dakota Mines Invitational in Rapid City, S.D., on Sept. 2, followed by meets in Spearfish at the Yellow Jacket Invitational on Sept. 9, and the Montana State Invitational in Bozeman on Sept. 17. All three challenges are a lead-up to the NCAA west region preview meet hosted by MSUB on Sept. 23 at Amend Park. In October, the ‘Jackets return to the Rocky Mountain Shootout hosted by Colorado University in Boulder, Colo. Although the program has been a participant at the event before, only one athlete has been there before as this will be a new venue for most of the current roster. The following week, MSUB is set to host the Yellowjacket Open at Riverfront Park. The team will use the smaller meet as a tune-up event for the GNAC Championships taking place on Oct. 22 in Bellingham, Wash., hosted by Western Washington. “In the early races of the season I would like to see everyone work on packing together as a team,” Coppock said. “We will train through the first few races. At MSU they will have a chance to compete against some D1 competition which will help them prepare for a regional D2 meet in Colorado hosted by CU. “At the GNAC championships I would like to see us finish in the top-5,” Coppock said. “For the regional returning to Billings I know everyone is really excited this year. Our goal is to get into the top-5 to qualify for nationals.” The NCAA west region championships return to the Magic City this year for the second time after the Yellowjackets hosted the event in 2014. MSU Billings resumes hosting duties on Nov. 5 at Amend Park. The men’s race kicks off the championships at 10 a.m. In 2014, MSUB hosted an event with 35 men’s cross country teams from around the west region. With home-course advantage again this season, the ‘Jackets are looking to earn one of five men’s team spots advancing to the national race taking place in Florida on Nov. 19.
2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com | 23
FRESHMEN
2016 Team by Class
SOPHOMORES
Josey Smiedala, Lydia Foster, Kyle McLaughlin, Isaiah Girard, Nikki Aiken, Ron Venema, Ella McKenzie, Catrina Schuchard.
JUNIORS
Josey Smiedala, Ivan Colmenero, Devin McDonald, Tyus Mendoza, Sarah Beatty.
Jorey Egeland, Kelby Wegner, Mark Hovland, Bailey Bomar, Liam McKay. 24 | 2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com
SENIORS
Jacob Marshall, Ali WAlker, Garrett Love, Rio Frame, Josh Panasuk.
2016 TEAM
2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com | 25
RIO FRAME CLASS: SENIOR HOMETOWN: GLENDIVE, MONTANA PREVIOUS SCHOOL: DAWSON COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL MAJOR: ENGLISH EXPERIENCE: 3 YEARS VARSITY 2015: Struggled with an injury for the middle part of the season...No. 1 runner when healthy...three top-10 finishes...placed 6th in 6K at Moda Health Alaska Invite in 24:17.5 and ninth in 5K in 19:54.9...placed sixth at Yellowjacket Invitational in 25:06.6...ran 23:19.1 in 6K at NCAA west region for 117 place...academic all-conference. 2014: Continued to build on her opening year, turning in two top-5 finishes as a Yellowjacket...her second season in a MSUB uniform, was the number 3 runner for the ‘Jackets for most of the year... runner-up at the Black Hills State Invitational placing second in 20:04.2...fourth at the Yellowjacket Invitational in 23:32.02...helped the Yellowjackets place 1st at both the BHSU Invite and the MSUB home-hosted event...at the GNAC Championships, finished in 22nd overall, crossing the tape in 21:48.0...at the NCAA west region, was 59th overall finishing the race in 23:04.7... holds the No. 4 spot all-time at MSUB in the 6,000m with a time of 21:48...academic all-GNAC. 2013: Turned in a very impressive freshman season...consistent member of both cross country and track and field members...as a freshman set MSUB school record in women’s indoor track and field 3000m with time of 10:39 and outdoor women’s track and field record 5000m with time of 18:09...named Freshman of the Year at the second annual Buzzie awards last spring. Dawson County High School: Named Montana Class A All-State in 2011 and 2012...finished 10th in her junior season and 14th last season... on the track, she was All-State for the 3,200 meters, as well as Divisional Champion in both the 1,600 and 3,200 meters...ran a 15:50 during her senior season at the Scottie Invitational, which was the 16th best time in the state last year...despite battling through a knee injury suffered during her basketball season, and missing several meets during her senior year, earned All-State honors...ran the three-mile course in 19:59.9.
26 | 2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com
2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com | 27
BAILEY BOMAR CLASS: JUNIOR HOMETOWN: BILLINGS, MONTANA PREVIOUS SCHOOL: BILLINGS WEST HIGH SCHOOL MAJOR: PSYCHOLOGY/CRIMINAL JUSTICE EXPERIENCE: 2 YEARS VARSITY 2015: Ran in seven events...top finish was in opening race at Moda Health Alaska Invite, 13th in 25:41.6...placed 86th at GNAC Championships in 26:12.5...finished season with best time at NCAA west region, running 6K in 25:04.4...academic all-conference. 2014: As a true freshman, participated in six cross country races for the Yellowjackets last year...best finish was 10th at the Black Hills State invitational where she finished in 21:29.96...at the GNAC Championships, placed 75th finishing in 24:31.1. Billings West High School: Will join the MSUB women's cross country and track and field teams. ..comes to the Yellowjackets a three-year letter winner in track and four year in cross country...at Billings West placed second at the AA girl's state cross country meet in 2011 and 2012, and was fourth in 2013...Freshman of the Year at West in 2010 for cross country, won the Golden Bear Award in and Most Improved in 2012, and received the Captain's Award for cross country in 2013...honor roll student-athlete and member of the National Honor Society at West High School.
28 | 2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com
2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com | 29
SARAH BEATTY CLASS: SOPHOMORE HOMETOWN: BILLINGS, MONTANA PREVIOUS SCHOOL: BILLINGS WEST HIGH SCHOOL MAJOR: SECONDARY EDUCATION/MATH EXPERIENCE: 1 YEAR VARSITY 2015: Competed in all eight events during the season as a freshman…placed 97th at GNAC Championships in 27:58.70…improved time and ran 27:43.42 at NCAA west region championship. Billings West High School: Joins the Yellowjacket program a four-year student-athlete ...will run cross country in the fall and also be a member of the track and field team for MSU Billings...for the Golden Bears, was awarded Most Inspirational, and earned academic all-state honors during her high school career.
30 | 2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com
2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com | 31
DEVIN MCDONALD CLASS: SOPHOMORE HOMETOWN: BILLINGS, MONTANA PREVIOUS SCHOOL: BILLINGS SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL MAJOR: RADIOLOGY EXPERIENCE: 1 YEAR VARSITY 2015: Competed in six events for MSUB her first year as a Yellowjacket…placed 28th at Montana State Invitational in 22:18.26 to open the season…finished 94th at GNAC Championships in 27:54.00…placed 181st at NCAA west region championships in 26:41.52. Billings Senior High School: Three-sport standout athlete for the Broncs...four-year participant on the track and field team and two years on both the volleyball and cross country teams...two-year letter winner...under head coach Sarah Lord was a member of the third place team at the "AA" Montana state meet...2013 Season Most Outstanding Newcomer...Academic All State 2013 and 2014.
32 | 2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com
2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com | 33
ALI WALKER CLASS: SENIOR HOMETOWN: PARK CITY, UTAH PREVIOUS SCHOOL: UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING MAJOR: HEALTH/HUMAN PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE: TRANSFER University of Wyoming: began her collegiate career as the No. 5 runner for the Wyoming cross country team…freshman campaign, placed 20th overall in 18:58 at the CSU Invite…top-5 in the first four meets of the season…sophomore year, top showing was second overall and second on the team at the Aggie Invite in 19:29…also placed 10th at the Montana State Invite in 17:36…last season as a junior, 44th overall at the Roy Griak Invite in 22:40 and 70th overall at the NCAA Mountain Regional in 22:44…on track and field team, redshirted opening season at UW...in 2014-15, ran the mile in the indoor season with best time coming at the Powder River Dual in 5:11.66…continuing academic success at the collegiate level, three-time Mountain West Scholar Athlete and 2015 academic all-conference. Park County High School: Four-time all-state honoree on the cross country team…2013 placed fourth at the state cross country meet to lead her team to the state title and earn first team all-state honors…2013 champion at regional meet…2013 track, placed second in the 3,200 meters in 10:58 and third in the 1,600 meters in 5:02 at the state meet…school records in the 1,600 meters (4:59), 3,200 meters (10:41) and 4x800-meter relay (9:30)…eight-time varsity letter winner…as a sophomore, placed second at the state cross country meet on the winning team to earn first team all-state accolades…as a freshman, placed ninth individually at the Utah state meet, helping team win the state cross country title...in the classroom, Honor Roll all four years, and named all-region on the academic team as a senior.
34 | 2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com
KELBY WEGNER CLASS: JUNIOR HOMETOWN: MEDICAL LAKE, WA PREVIOUS SCHOOL: SPOKANE COMMUNITY COLLEGE MAJOR: MANAGEMENT/MARKETING EXPERIENCE: JUNIOR COLLEGE Medical Lake High School: Three years competing for cross country team...four years as a pitcher for softball program...served two years as captain for cross country squad....two-time all-league honoree, MVP, and Most Inspirational.
2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com | 35
NIKKI AIKEN CLASS: FRESHMAN HOMETOWN: BELGRADE, MONTANA PREVIOUS SCHOOL: MANHATTAN CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL MAJOR: HEALTH/HUMAN PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE: HIGH SCHOOL Manhattan Christian High School: Four-year student-athlete on both the cross country and track and field teams at Manhattan Christian High School...team captain, team MVP, and academic all-state selection for the Eagles.
36 | 2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com
LYDIA FOSTER CLASS: FRESHMAN HOMETOWN: GILLETTE, WYOMING PREVIOUS SCHOOL: CAMPBELL COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL MAJOR: UNDECIDED EXPERIENCE: HIGH SCHOOL Campbell County High School: Tri-sport athlete… ran cross country and track and was a striker for the soccer team… awarded 10 varsity athletic letters during prep career… member of the CCHS cross country state championship team in 2014… four-time all-state selection in cross country… MVP of XC team…cross-country state runner-up in 2015… team captain of both cross country and track and field teams… all-region for soccer team and MVP in 2013 and 2014… graduated as salutatorian of CCHS, earning several academic honors in multiple disciplines.
2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com | 37
ELLA MCKENZIE CLASS: FRESHMAN HOMETOWN: LIVINGSTON, MONTANA PREVIOUS SCHOOL: PARK COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL MAJOR: UNDECIDED EXPERIENCE: HIGH SCHOOL Park County High School: Three-sport athlete…member of soccer, basketball, and track and field teams…defender on soccer team earning two varsity letters…guard on basketball squad earning two more varsity letters…on track team competed in distance events…four-year all-conference honoree in track…named the Top Gun in 2015…four-year letter winner in track…academic all-state selection.
38 | 2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com
KRYSTEN MOSSBURG CLASS: FRESHMAN HOMETOWN: LIVINGSTON, MONTANA PREVIOUS SCHOOL: PARK COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL MAJOR: UNDECIDED EXPERIENCE: HIGH SCHOOL Libby High School: Three-sport athlete...eight-time letter winner in cross country, track, and cheer...earned four letters in cross country and was named Most Inspirational two years running...two-year all-state in track...named academic all-state in track for all four years...holds Montana class "B" district record in the 4x400 meter relay in 4:15.
2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com | 39
CATRINA SCHUCHARD CLASS: FRESHMAN HOMETOWN: HARLOWTON, MONTANA PREVIOUS SCHOOL: HARLOWTON HIGH SCHOOL MAJOR: NURSING EXPERIENCE: HIGH SCHOOL Harlowton High School: Three-sport athlete...competed in volleyball, basketball, and track and field...earned eight varsity letters ...defensive specialist for the volleyball team... two seasons as a post player ...multi-faceted competitor in both the sprints and distance events in track and field...all-conference selection for three seasons....four-year member of honor roll...nine-time academic all-state honors...member of the National Honor Society.
40 | 2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com
JOSEY SMIEDALA CLASS: FRESHMAN HOMETOWN: HELENA, MONTANA PREVIOUS SCHOOL: HELENA HIGH SCHOOL MAJOR: NURSING/EDUCATION EXPERIENCE: REDSHIRT 2015: Redshirted. Helena High School: Four-year participant and three-year letter-winner on the cross country and track and field teams...team-captain... named all-state in both cross country and track and field for the Bengals.
2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com | 41
New Faces: MSUB track and field freshman Josey Smiedala Wednesday, January 27, 2016 Feature story on one of MSUB’s newest track stars, freshman Josey Smiedala, who is gearing up to make a name for herself this spring in her first season with the ‘Jackets. MSUB SPORTS – Three meets down and two to go in completing freshman Josey Smiedala’s debut indoor season as a Montana State University Billings women’s track runner. When asked about her first collegiate meet, Smiedala seemed very humble about her 61 second time in her open 400, as well as in her 4x400 meter relay later in the meet. “We had our first meet at Black Hills,” said Smiedala. “That went okay, but I was definitely not fully prepared for it. I think I was just kind of nervous racing again.” In her next two meets Smiedala showed up ready to race and improve her times. Her second indoor meet at Montana State University rounded out with a strong showing in her 400 meter dash on her distance medley relay team and a slightly faster time in her open 400 meter dash later in the day (1:00.92, fourth). The freshman runner was not done there though. In her third meet of the season, Smiedala dominated her race, beating her opponent by an easy four seconds. One could say that running is in her genes, as both Smiedala’s mother and father ran in their college years. Coming from a family filled with competitors, Smiedala has been involved in running since she was seven years old, along with her two sisters. Josie seems very fond and proud of her younger siblings, mentioning that one of her sisters had recently signed a letter of intent to compete for the University of Montana track team next year. This young athlete has not only competed in track for numerous years, but tried her hand at basketball, softball, gymnastics, soccer, and tennis, all in which her family supported her fully. After her dad’s diagnosis with cancer, Smiedala filled a more adult role and provided support by cooking, cleaning, and helping take care of her family until his health improved. She had to become more mature for her age, a trait that has stuck with Smiedala her entire life. “You just have to take one day at a time,” she said. “Everything happens for a reason. You need to have a positive outlook on everything.”
42 | 2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com
The beginning of Smiedala’s summer after her senior year didn’t involve flip flops and swimsuits, but rather flying to West Point Military Academy in New York only a couple of weeks after receiving surgery on her knee. She had been battling with this injury almost her entire senior track season at Helena High School, but one fatal hurdle sent Smiedala to the ground and to the hospital. Doctors informed her that surgery was a must if she planned on attending basic in the summer. “I was predicted to win the 300 hurdles at state, so it was the hardest thing in the world,” said Smiedala. But, Smiedala knew that after a year’s worth of writing essays and sitting through interviews to be accepted into West Point, she could not give up now. However, she soon realized that maybe this was not her dream. “I don’t think my heart was really in it,” said Smiedala. “I was definitely doing it for other people besides myself. I was burnt out on it and running. That’s why I’m here now.” Smiedala is no stranger to the hustle and bustle of Billings. “I guess I could kind of say I was raised here in a way, because we were up here basically every weekend,” she said. Talking about Billings led Smiedala to recount her call from New York to head coach Dave Coppock informing him of her newfound interest in the school and the track program. Coach Coppock and Smiedala knew about each other through Smiedala’s dad, who Coppock previously ran with in road races. “She seemed really nice, which didn’t surprise me at all, kind of knowing her family,” Coppock said. “I heard a lot of other people tell me that she was a really nice girl and works really hard.” Coppock continued to watch Smiedala as she progressed through high school. “I watched her results and knew that she was doing really well.” Smiedala’s first semester at MSUB studying elementary education was full of trial and error, from learning how to deal with her new home, job, sport, social life, and class load. Her days included waking up to open the school’s Jackets & Co. Campus Store, where she would reside until class time, which turned into practice, dinner, and back to the store. “I would get back to my residence hall at like 9 o’clock and just want to go to sleep,” said Smiedala. “But I think I have more of a hold on it this semester just because I know what to expect.” Smiedala is working on getting her general credits done these first two semesters of her college career. For a runner with personal records of 57 seconds in the 400 meter dash, 2:24 in the 800 meter dash, and 46.2 seconds in the 300 meter hurdles, Smiedala carries herself humbly. She even stated with a laugh, “I didn’t have very good form. I was more the powerhouse of hurdles.” Smiedala always looks to compliment her teammates, and build them up before she celebrates her own accomplishments. When asked about her impact on the team, assistant coach Jonathan Woehl, who works primarily with Smiedala, stated, “It’s been really nice to have her as part of the team because every day she brings a nice, positive attitude. It’s contagious amongst her teammates.” With the two biggest indoor meets of the season looming in the coming weeks, Smiedala is focused on performing well within her relay teams, as well as attaining a sub-60 mark in the 400m. “No matter who we have running the relay, the team has a lot of potential,” Smiedala said. “We just need to be motivated.” While the freshman is less sure about her ability individually, both her father, who sent his encouragement in the form of the provisional national qualifying times in the 400m, and Coach Woehl are confident she has what it takes. “With the work ethic that she has, I can see her scoring at an all-conference level for us in both indoor and outdoor meets,” said Woehl. “I’ve raced so many times, that it is second nature by now,” Smiedala commented. “I always do specific exercises, but I don’t do a lot of miles. I’m totally mental for my warmups. I sometimes try to imagine what I am going to do and my race strategy.” Her teammate and co-worker, Bailey Bomar stated, “She can go from being silly at work, to being serious as soon as she’s at a meet.” Smiedala can be seen encouraging her teammates before, during, and after their events all the way up to the intense 4x400 meter relay at the end of the meet. “She is always up for and wants to run the 4x400,” says Coppock. The freshman tries to remind her teammates that every race they run helps with their training for the rest of the season.
2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com | 43
“Josie’s strongest asset as an athlete would be her desire to work up to her potential. She really wants to do well, and when you give her a workout, she’s all-in,” stated Coppock. Coppock plans on recruiting athletes to build the track program who have a lot of the same qualities that Smiedala displays. He expects that Smiedala will be one of the fastest, if not the fastest, woman 400 runners to come through the MSUB track program. Both coaches and teammates find Smiedala’s addition to the women’s track team as very positive. Woehl said, “My job is going to be to hold her back, because she is going to want to do way more than she should. That’s a good thing.” His thoughts are probably accurate since Smiedala has stated, “I really think that practice is important to push yourself.” The young runner says that she will attempt to keep up with the men when they are practicing with one another. “The way the track program is, you can be as good as you want to be,” said Smiedala. “I just like all the people here. Practice is so fun and I used to be so stressed out, but I’m just enjoying it, and I think that’s the most important thing.” Smiedala is back to running simply for herself and the pure love of it, as she starts her new journey as a Yellowjacket of MSUB following her philosophy of hard work, dedication, and a bubbly, infectious attitude.
44 | 2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com
Robert runs road rarely reached in career with ‘Jackets Wednesday, March 9, 2016 Putting the finishing touches on a legendary career with the Yellowjackets, senior Robert Peterson owns eight school records and represents his hometown as a star for MSUB. MSUB SPORTS – Robert Peterson entered the 2016 Great Northwest Athletic Conference Championships with somewhat of a chip on his shoulder. The Montana State University Billings senior was back at the Ford Idaho Center in Nampa, Idaho for the final time in his career, and he wanted to go out with a bang. Two seasons earlier, as a sophomore, Peterson shocked the field and sped to the title in the mile with a school-record time of 4:10.76 on his 21st birthday. It wasn’t the first hint of brilliance Peterson had displayed in his career, as he was the 2012 GNAC Freshman of the Year during his first-ever cross country season. But when he returned to the banked, blue track as a junior in 2015, the mile title evaded him by less than a second as he finished as the runner up. “I went into it this year really wanting to win it again, but I also knew there was a lot of good competition,” Peterson commented on this year’s mile championship race. “I think I had a bit of an advantage being the underdog, because I hadn’t run the mile or three-k until the conference meet this year.” Among the good competition across the conference, Peterson’s top opponent turned out to be David Ribich of Western Oregon, who engaged Peterson in a step-for-step battle into the final straightaway. In an ultimate burst of energy that would make Michael Phelps proud, Peterson leaned across the line and edged his opponent by one one-hundredth of a second. “My heart was just pounding so fast, and I really didn’t know he was that close to me until the final few steps,” Peterson remembered. “I crossed the line and thought I might have got him, but I wasn’t sure until I saw the scores posted by the clock.”
2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com | 45
When the dust settled Peterson had reclaimed his crown as GNAC Mile Champion, and had broken his own school record in doing so with a time of 4:10.13. Peterson wasn’t finished there, as he demolished the record once again a week later in Seattle, storming to a berth in the NCAA Division II National Championships with a time of 4:07.67. It’s the second straight year Peterson will represent MSUB in the national meet, where he claimed United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association second-team All-America honors by finishing 10th in the mile a year ago. “Physically at this point, there’s not much more I can do, and right now I am mentally strong,” said Peterson. “I am really confident.” MSUB head cross country and track and field coach Dave Coppock commented last week that Peterson is peaking at the perfect time in the season, improving with each race and setting himself up to be in top form when he competes as the No. 12 seed at the national meet Friday evening in Pittsburg, Kan. The Billings Skyview High School alumnus has ambitions to repeat as an All-American, but hopes to break into the top-8 this season to earn first-team honors. Though Peterson still has the outdoor season to look forward to in the spring, Friday will be the final indoor meet of his collegiate career. A champion through and through, Peterson has lived through running, letting it take him to his highest points and enduring the dark stretches when it has sucked away his last ounces of energy. LEG 1 – 1,000 MILES “There was just something about it. It hurt, but I really liked the pain and the atmosphere around it.” – Robert Peterson on falling in love with running as a kid. Peterson’s competitive year technically starts in mid-August, when the Yellowjackets officially report for fall training for the cross country season. As a junior in 2014, Peterson raced to a 13th-place finish at the NCAA Division II West Region Championships, as he earned a spot in the national meet which was another program first. Perhaps the friendly confines of Amend Park in Billings aided Peterson’s finish in the race, as 2014 also marked the first time the Yellowjackets hosted a regional cross country meet. “It was definitely exciting, but I think I was about the last person on the team to find out we were hosting,” Peterson said with a smile. “I hung with the leaders for about five miles, but the last mile I was just in so much pain. I knew I had to hold on, and if I had been 10 seconds slower I wouldn’t have made it (to nationals).” As a fifth-grader enrolled in his local YMCA track program, Peterson never could have imagined that he would one day represent his hometown university in a national collegiate meet. Striving to reach All-American status with a top-40 finish, Peterson was among the middle of the pack two-thirds of the way through the national meet at Tom Sawyer State Park in Louisville, Ky. But several inches of rain in preceding days had created mud-filled patches throughout the course, and Peterson faded to finish No. 100 in the field of 245 runners. “Knowing what I know now, I would have changed a few things like how I went out in that race,” Peterson said.
46 | 2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com
Shifting his focus to a return appearance at the nationals in the fall of 2015, Peterson ramped up his training to an unprecedented level in the eyes of Coach Coppock. “I could see him start to move up to a national scale after his second year,” Coppock said. “The first indication he could run at a national level was when he won the mile at the GNAC indoor meet in 2014. I knew the next couple of seasons that the focus was going to be on getting him to nationals, whether that was in cross country or track.” Peterson tore through Billings in the fall, covering more ground than any of the other 100,000-plus human beings inhabiting Montana’s largest city. Single runs could extend to as much as 20 miles, and Peterson strived to break 100 miles in a week for his workouts. “There is just something about triple digits,” Peterson said. “I was hitting 90-mile weeks last year, but I just had to go for 100 this year.” Averaging 14-15 miles per day, Peterson had covered 1,000 miles in workouts alone leading up to the GNAC Championships hosted by Western Washington University on Oct. 24. Peterson was in the best shape of his life, but warning signs emerged that he was pushing himself to the limit of what his body could handle. Despite running a school-record time of 30:15.08 in the 10-kilometer west region championship meet at Ash Creek Preserve on the campus of Western Oregon University, Peterson finished in 13th place and narrowly missed a return berth to the national meet last fall. The disappointment was difficult to handle at first, as Peterson had been determined to have a better showing at the national meet. He settled for a USTFCCCA All-Region medal for the second year in-a-row, and shifted his focus towards the indoor track and field season that lay ahead. LEG 2 – FROM GRASS AND HILLS TO TRACK MEET THRILLS Peterson’s reclamation of the GNAC mile title on Feb. 20 was the latest reminder that his ramped-up training regimen this year was still effective, although it was his leg in the Yellowjackets’ distance medley relay race that was perhaps the most exciting of the weekend. In the most unique race at the meet, the DMR features legs of 1,200 meters, 400 meters, 800 meters, and 1,600 meters layered in that order. Naturally slotted in to anchor the race with the longest distance, Peterson awaited his turn to receive the baton after Josh Panasuk, Landon Polkow, and Liam McKay made their way through their respective distances. Entering the race with the goal of a top-3 finish, Peterson knew he could achieve that feat as he picked up the baton and saw the backs of Simon Fraser University and Alaska Anchorage with a generous head start. “I wasn’t anticipating winning, but I was still going to do the best I could and try to get a school record,” Peterson said. Then it got interesting. The one advantage Peterson had running the longest leg of the race laid within the significant amount of time he had to make up the gap between him and his opponents. With three laps to go Peterson could read the school names printed on the backs of his opponents’ jerseys. As the bell ringing signaled the final lap, Peterson could hear the rustle of his opponents’ numbers as they battled the four safety pins holding them into place on the front of their jerseys.
2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com | 47
Flying around the final corner, Peterson knew he was the strongest of the three and took the race into his own hands. He strode across the finish line, simultaneously helping the ‘Jackets capture the team title and break a school record. “That was really cool because it was MSUB’s first time winning that race at the conference meet,” Peterson said. “Everyone on the team did what they needed to do, and everyone pushed through and fought for it.” The record-breaking time of 10:06.41 by MSUB’s DMR team was unique in that it was one of the few races that truly involved direct teamwork rather than individual achievement. While each individual athlete in a meet has the chance to contribute points to his or her team, it took a combination of the four to claim the top prize and all-conference honors in one of the highlights of the season for the ‘Jackets.
MSUB’s 2016 GNAC Champion Distance Medley Relay Team (from left) Josh Panasuk, Landon Polkow, Liam McKay, and Robert Peterson. THREE SPORT ATHLETE While most sports feature distinct seasons and off-seasons, the practice and preparation doesn’t vary greatly depending on the time of year. In baseball, teams work on hitting in the off-season, and hitting during the season in the week of a game. Basketball players put shots up all summer in preparation for the season, and then put up even more shots after practice in the fall. Exercises and workouts vary throughout the year, but no athletes, with the exception of runners, quite experience the rigors of being in season for the entirety of an academic year and having to shift the focus of training constantly throughout. For Peterson, there is no off-season. Cross country hands off to indoor track and field, and by the time he returns from the indoor championships he’ll have less than two weeks until MSUB’s first outdoor meet. Additionally, Peterson’s currency of 100-mile weeks is not accepted by the banking institution of track and field, which requires more focused and intense, shorter-interval training. “Now that it is track season I am running faster, but I am only putting in 65-70 miles per week,” Peterson said. “I went from long runs up to 20 miles to now maybe going one mile at the most.”
48 | 2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com
Peterson’s training varies from day-to-day, as Coppock guides him through a sequence of hard starts out of the gate to a more measured pace to achieve. “The success he saw starting his sophomore year really motivated him to keep training hard, and he has bought into what I wanted him to do,” Coppock said. “He trains constantly all year long, moving his mileage up and putting in big training even in the summer. He has gotten stronger every year as a result of that.” On top of his school records in cross country in the 8k and 10k, and in indoor track in the mile and 3,000 meter races, Peterson also holds MSUB’s records in the outdoor 1,500 meter and 5,000 meter races. While his current focus is on performing well at the indoor championships this weekend, Peterson is also looking ahead to the outdoor season with ambitions to continue to turn heads. “For outdoor I just hope we can come together as a team, and do what we always do at the conference meet – surprise everyone,” said Peterson. “We are kind of at the back of peoples’ minds and then we get there and show them what we are made of.” RUN BOB, RUN “He has lifted our program to a higher level and set a much higher standard for us. Instead of looking at making it to a conference championship, we are now looking to qualify people for nationals. The team can see now that it’s possible to move up to that next level, and Robert has paved the way for that.” MSUB head coach Dave Coppock on senior Robert Peterson. Coppock had known about Peterson by the time he reached his senior year at Skyview, but wasn’t convinced he had the potential to develop into much more than a strong runner in MSUB’s program. When he graduated high school, Peterson’s best mile was around 4:30, and Coppock knew that it would take determination and a high-octane work ethic for him to cut his time down to a competitive level. Peterson came through with flying colors. “By his sophomore year he started to emerge as a leader, and the rest of the team saw what they could do and bought into that level of dedication,” Coppock said. “Now, he’s not only going to nationals, but wants to compete well and go beyond just making the cut.” Take a drive down Rimrock Road on any given afternoon and chances are you’ll catch a glimpse of Peterson striding through another lengthy workout. While it’s impossible to say what he’s thinking during that run, it would be safe to guess the memory of his six-mile run on the first day of practice in high school that brought him to his knees flashes through his mind. The remnants of stress fractures and shin splints that forced him to redshirt in his freshman season at MSUB still linger, and the motivation to return to the team after sitting out is a chip he still carries. The look of calmness on his face as he clips along at a pace unmatched by any other Yellowjacket past or present, eyes almost closed and head tilted slightly back as his body shifts to auto-pilot. The sense of accomplishment after overcoming initial doubt that he wasn’t good enough to compete in college or at MSUB. The sense that he has become one of the greatest athletes in the school’s history, and the path his sneakers carve will remain boundless as his legacy lives on permanently.
2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com | 49
GARRETT LOVE CLASS: SENIOR HOMETOWN: BILLINGS, MONTANA PREVIOUS SCHOOL: BILLINGS WEST HIGH SCHOOL MAJOR: HEALTH/HUMAN PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE: 3 YEARS VARSITY 2015: Opened season placing fourth at Moda Health Alaska 8K in 27:21.1...finished fifth at Montana State Invitational in 26:49.45...16th at Yellowjacket Invitational in 27:06.95...GNAC Championships finished 18th in 25:53.80...40th at NCAA west region championships in 31:12.72. 2014: Had two top-10 finishes his sophomore season for the Yellowjackets...was part of the MSUB team that finished 1-2-3-4 at the Yellowjacket Invitational, finishing in fourth place with a time of 26:15.19...at the Black Hills State Invitational, was seventh, completing the course in 27:46.91...at the GNAC Championships, placed 51st in 26:52.4...at the NCAA Division II west region, was 78th - holding the second best finish in the Yellowjacket squad, with a time of 33:14.8. 2013: Finished last season at the GNAC cross country championships with a time of 27:46.72. Billings West High School: Competed for three years on the West High cross country team and two years on the track and field team...his sophomore year was named the Most Improved...was the first recipient of the Golden Bear award at West his senior year on the track and field team...three-year Honor Roll student.
50 | 2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com
2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com | 51
JACOB MARSHALL CLASS: SENIOR HOMETOWN: SEWARD, ALASKA PREVIOUS SCHOOL: SEWARD HIGH SCHOOL MAJOR: HISTORY/EDUCATION EXPERIENCE: 3 YEARS VARSITY 2015: Redshirted. 2014: Competed in seven races for MSUB his junior campaign...placed 25th twice during the year...at the Yellowjacket Invitational, placed 25th in 28:17.79...a week later at the Black Hills State Invitational, was also 25th, completing the course in 30:36.92...at the GNAC Championships, placed 80th, finishing the race in 29:04.1...at the NCAA Division II west region competition, placed 142nd with a time of 35:05.9. 2013: At last season's Yellowjackets Invitational finished with a time of 28.39.7. 2012: Ran a season-best 29:26 in the MSUB Yellowjacket Invitational.
52 | 2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com
2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com | 53
JOSH PANASUK CLASS: SENIOR HOMETOWN: BUTTE, AMERICA PREVIOUS SCHOOL: BUTTE HIGH SCHOOL MAJOR: OUTDOOR ADVENTURE LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE: 3 YEARS VARSITY 2015: Redshirted. 2014: Turned in three top-20 finishes his junior campaign as a Yellowjacket...best finish came at the Yellowjacket Invitational where he placed eighth overall in 26:33.39, helping MSUB win their home event...at the Black Hills State Invitational, Panasuk placed 10th in 28:17.64 and at the first race of the season, the Carroll College Invitational, 13th overall in 20:17.06...at the GNAC Championships, was third on the Yellowjacket squad and 35th overall in 26:11.9....at the NCAA Division II west region event, finished 108th overall in 34:05.9. 2013: In the Yellowjacket Invitational finished with a time of 26:00.6...finished in seventh place overall at the first race of the season in Alaska (University of Alaska Fairbanks Invitational, 8k) with a time of 27:00. 2012: Ran all four of his races with sub-28 minute times ... best time 26:28 in the MSUB Yellowjacket Invitational ... placed 48th in the GNAC Championships with a time of 26:51. Butte High School: Lettered in both cross country and track for four years respectively ... while competing in his senior year for Butte, he had a season-best time of 15:50 in the three mile and his best time of 2:00.4 in the 800m came during his junior campaign.
54 | 2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com
2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com | 55
JOREY EGELAND CLASS: JUNIOR HOMETOWN: BILLINGS, MONTANA PREVIOUS SCHOOL: BILLINGS SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL MAJOR: HEALTH/HUMAN PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE: 2 YEARS VARSITY 2015: Three top-20 finishes...placed 12th to open season at Moda Health Alaska 8K in 29:28.9 and two days later finished 8th in 5k in 16:28.3... placed eighth at Yellowjacket Invitational in 26:18.46...placed 38th at GNAC Championships in 26:49.80 and 94th at NCAA west region 10K in 32:29.88. 2014: Competed in six events his freshman season as a Yellowjacket...placed ninth in two races...at the Carroll College Invite, was ninth in 20:04.55 and at the Yellowjacket Invitational placed ninth in 26:48.88...at the GNAC Championships, finished 56th, completing the conference race in 27:06.9...at the NCAA Division II west region in Billings, placed 137th, finishing in 35:30.8. Billings Senior High School: Joins the Yellowjackets after being a multi-sport athlete at Billings Senior High School...competed in basketball, cross country, and track and field for the Broncs...was a freshman when Billings Senior won the state AA track and field championship in 2011... in 2013 finished 9th at the Montana State AA track and field meet in the 800m...in 2014 placed 9th in the 1600m run and 10th in the 800m at the state meet...was the top finisher for the Senior High cross country team at the state AA cross country meet in 2012...seven-time academic all-state selection, and in 2013 he finished in 10th place at the Montana Class AA Championships.
56 | 2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com
2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com | 57
MARK HOVLAND CLASS: JUNIOR HOMETOWN: BILLINGS, MONTANA PREVIOUS SCHOOL: BILLINGS WEST HIGH SCHOOL MAJOR: HEALTH/HUMAN PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE: 2 YEARS VARSITY 2015: Placed 5th in opening race of season at Moda Health Alaska 8K in 27:25.1...finished 13th in 5K two days later in 16:39.2...placed 45 at GNAC Championships in 26:57.70...finished 92nd at NCAA west region championships in 32.28.01. 2014: As a true freshman, competed in seven races for MSUB...best finish was placing 11th at the Yellowjacket Invitational, crossing the tape in 27:28.25...also had two top-30 finishes during the season...at the Carroll College Invite he placed 22nd (20:48.98), and at the Black Hills State Invitational, Hovland placed 24th (30:33.89)...at the GNAC Championships, placed 60th in 27:18.8 ...at the NCAA Division II west region, finished in 119th place in 34:34.3. Billings West High School: Four-year letter winner in cross country and track and field...at West High, was a member of the 2011-12 divisional and state champion teams...was on the 2012-13 cross country third place team, the 2012-13 track and field third place team and the 2012-13 track and field divisional champion team...in 2011, was the USATF cross country athlete of the year (Intermediate Boys), he was the 2013-14 West High MVP in cross country and he received the Iron Bear Award for track and field...at the state meet , placed sixth in the 800m run and was 14th at the state cross country meet...member of the National Honor Society and an academic all-state selection all four years from 2010-14.
58 | 2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com
2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com | 59
LIAM MCKAY CLASS: JUNIOR HOMETOWN: SURREY, BRITISH COLUMBIA PREVIOUS SCHOOL: LORD TWEEDSMUIR SECONDARY MAJOR: UNDECIDED EXPERIENCE: 2 YEARS VARSITY 2015: Finished fourth at Alaska Moda Health 8K in 27:19.8 and third in 5K in 16:18.0…placed 51st at GNAC Championships in 27:07.7. 2014: Turned in an impressive first season as a Yellowjacket, culminating with a second-place finish for the MSUB team at the conference championships...as a true freshman, had two top-15 performances...at the Yellowjacket Invitational, placed 13th in 27:33.69 and at the Black Hills State Invitational, was also 13th, completing the course in 28:24.12...at the GNAC Championships, placed 31st overall in 26:07.5, finishing as he Yellowjackets' No. 2 runner on the course. Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary School: Four-year member of the cross country and track and field teams...honor roll student for 2013-14.
60 | 2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com
2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com | 61
IVAN COLMENERO CLASS: SOPHOMORE HOMETOWN: MANHATTAN, MONTANA PREVIOUS SCHOOL: MANHATTAN HIGH SCHOOL MAJOR: ELEMENTARY EDUCATION EXPERIENCE: 1 YEAR VARSITY 2015: Competed in seven events freshman season…opened collegiate career in Alaska at Moda Health Invitational 25th in 29:28.9…finished 30th at Montana State Invitational in 28:29.90…placed 150th at NCAA west region championships in 34:20.96. Manhattan High School: Ran cross country and participated in track and field for the Tigers...while participated just a single year in high school, made a big impact in two sports...awarded Most Improved Runner and Most Valuable Runner in cross country...track and field was honored as All-State in the mile and was the Division meet runner-up...received Coaches Award.
62 | 2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com
2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com | 63
TYUS MENDOZA CLASS: SOPHOMORE HOMETOWN: COLSTRIP, MONTANA PREVIOUS SCHOOL: COLSTRIP HIGH SCHOOL MAJOR: MUSIC PRODUCTION EXPERIENCE: 1 YEAR VARSITY 2015: Competed in five races as a freshman…first race was MSU Invite in Bozeman, placed 42nd in 27:35.0…finished 33rd at GNAC Championships in 26:39.9…finished 90th at NCAA West Region Championships in 32:24.7. Colstrip High School: Four-year participant in cross country and track and field...3-time all-state recognition in cross country...5-time all-state in track and field...member of cross country Montana "B" state champion team...Montana "B" state champion in the 2-mile.
64 | 2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com
2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com | 65
ISAIAH GIRARD CLASS: FRESHMAN HOMETOWN: DILLON, MONTANA PREVIOUS SCHOOL: BEAVERHEAD COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL MAJOR: ART EDUCATION EXPERIENCE: HIGH SCHOOL Beaverhead County High School: Five-time all-conference and two-time all-state honoree in track and field...member of 2016 state championship boys track and field team.
66 | 2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com
KYLE MCLAUGHLIN CLASS: FRESHMAN HOMETOWN: BELGRADE, MONTANA PREVIOUS SCHOOL: BELGRADE HIGH SCHOOL MAJOR: CRIMINAL JUSTICE EXPERIENCE: HIGH SCHOOL Belgrade High School: Earned seven varsity letters during prep career at Belgrade High School…four-year member of varsity cross country team and three-year participant on track and field squad.
2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com | 67
RONALD VENEMA CLASS: FRESHMAN HOMETOWN: PINESDALE, MONTANA PREVIOUS SCHOOL: CORVALLIS HIGH SCHOOL MAJOR: ELEMENTARY EDUCATION EXPERIENCE: HIGH SCHOOL Corvallis High School: Three-year member of cross country team and four years on track and field team…three-time all-state honoree in cross country…all-state selection in track and field as a senior...team captain of cross country squad…holds school record in cross country of 15:37.
68 | 2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com
Men’s XC 8000 Meters (Top - 10) 1. Robert Peterson 2. Michael Luhr 3. Robert Peterson 4. Jamon Rodrigues 5. Clint Choquette 6. Robert Peterson 7. Brian Potter 8. Brian Potter 9. Michael Luhr 10. Chase Robinson
24:53 24:56 24:59 25:01 25:11 25:13 25:20 25:21 25:22 25:31
2013 2013 2014 2013 2012 2015 2011 2011 2012 2012
Updated: November 2015
10,000 Meters (Top - 10) 1. Robert Peterson 2. Garrett Love 3. Robert Peterson 4. Matt Winter 5. Tyus Mendoza T6. Mark Hovland T6. Brian Potter 8. Jorey Egeland 9.Daniel Lombardi 10. Chase Robinson
30:15 31.12 31:29 31:36 32:24 32:28 32:28 32:29 32:53 33:11
2015 2015 2014 2015 2015 2015 2011 2015 2011 2013
20:58 21:27 21:31 21:48 22:11 22:11 22:12 22:19 22:21 22:26
2014 2014 2012 2014 2013 2013 2011 2011 2007 1998
Women’s XC 5000 Meters (Top - 10) 1. Whitney Mickelsen 2. Whitney Mickelsen 3. Laura Swogger 4. Whitney Mickelsen 5. Katie Thiel 6. Renae Hepfner 7. Mary Owen 8. Laura Swogger 9. Christy Cormier 10. Laura Swogger
18:04 18:05 18:12 18:15 18:24 18:33 18:36 18:43 18:46 18:47
2012 2011 1997 2010 2010 2012 2012 1997 1997 1997
6000 Meters (Top - 10) 1. Nocona Frame 2. Renae Hepfner 3. Whitney Mickelsen 4. Rio Frame 5. Renae Hepfner 6. Jinise Osborne 7. Whitney Mickelsen 8. Whitney Mickelsen 9. Dianna Stanley 10. Laura Swogger
BOLD - Indicates currently on roster.
2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com | 69
MEN’S AWARDS
WOMEN’S AWARDS
NCAA Post Graduate Scholarship 2014-15 Renae Hepfner 2007-08 Jarred Rensvold CoSIDA Academic All-District 2006-07 Jarred Rensvold
NCAA DII All-Region 1998 Ronn Smith 2014 Robert Peterson 2015 Robert Peterson 1999 1998 1995 1994
All-Pac West Ronn Smith Ronn Smith Brian Kinsey Kevin Koch
All-Heartland Conference 2006 Jared Rensvold Matt Roseberry 2005 Sam Hartpence Matt Roseberry Jarred Rensvold
NCAA DII All-Region 2011 Whitney Mickelsen 2004 Heidi Robertson 1998 Laura Swogger 1997 Christy Cormier 2nd Sarah Graves Laura Swogger 1996 Christy Cormier 1994 Michelle Taylor-Lipp 1989 Sue Vogel CoSIDA Academic All-District 2015-16 Jinise Trueblood 1st 2014-15 Renae Hepfner 1st 2004-05 Sarah Lord 1st USTFCCCA All-Academic 2010 Sarah Jackson Katie Thiel 2009 Lisa Minnehan
All-Pac West 2004 Sarah Lord Chelsea Lynnes Heidi Robertson (2nd) All-GNAC 2003 Anjel Hoff 2014 Robert Peterson 2002 Chelsea Lynnes Ellen Swogger GNAC Newcomer of the Year 2001 Chelsea Lynnes 2012 Clint Choquette 1998 Christy Cormier 2015 Matt Winter Sarah Graves Laura Swogger GNAC Freshman of the Year 1997 Christy Cormier 2012 Robert Peterson Sarah Graves Laura Swogger (2nd) Academic All-GNAC 1996 Christy Cormier (Great Northwest Athletic Conference) Sarah Graves 2013 Robert Peterson 1995 Michelle Taylor-Lipp Chase Robinson 1994 Heidi Rieder 2012 Tyson Vanderby Michelle Taylor-Lipp Daniel Lombardi 2011 Travis Hutchinson All-Heartland Conference Daniel Lombardi 2006 Teri McCormick Chase Robinson Crystal Roseberry 2007 Jarred Rensvold 2005 Susan Kocab
GNAC Newcomer of the Year 2010 Whitney Mickelsen
All-GNAC 2011 Whitney Mickelsen 2014 Nocona Frame
Academic All-GNAC 2015 Jinise Trueblood Brielle Davis Rio Frame
70 | 2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com
2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007
Jinise Osborne Renae Hepfner Nocona Frame Rio Frame Theresa Lombardi Jinise Osborne Renae Hepfner Elizabeth Brown Keri Clump Blanca Perez Alex McBroom Renase Hepfner Mary Owen Elizabeth Brown Alex McBroom Katelyn Meyer Melanie Bock Melanie Bock Keri Clump Mary Owen Sarah Jackson Mary Owen Katie Thiel Sarah Jackson Katie Thiel Malori Woodford Cierra Dornfeld Erin Gannon Sarah Jackson Dianna Stanley Katie Thiel Malori Woodford Colleen Dalimata Cierra Dornfeld Erin Gannon Kym Island
MSUB Athletics Administration
KRISTA MONTAGUE DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS/ SENIOR WOMAN ADMINISTRATOR 14TH YEAR, 4TH AS AD
DENISE WYNIA ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT 14TH YEAR
BRENT MONTAGUE DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT 9TH YEAR
REBEKAH GASNER DIRECTOR OF COMPLIANCE 6TH YEAR, 1ST AS C.D.
EVAN O’KELLY DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS 3RD YEAR
BIRGITTA GRAY ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS 4TH YEAR
JAMES CATLIN OPERATIONS COORDINATOR 5TH YEAR
GINA HERBERT ACCOUNTANT 9TH YEAR
TOM EBEL HEAD ATHLETIC TRAINER 5TH YEAR
LINDSAY SULLIVAN ASSISTANT ATHLETIC TRAINER 5TH YEAR
PATRICK BEHRE GRADUATE ASSISTANT ATHLETIC TRAINER 2ND YEAR
DR. SCOTT HARRIS FACULTY ATHLETIC REPRESENTATIVE
2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com | 71
MSUB Athletics Coaches
ALEX BALOG MEN’S SOCCER HEAD COACH
MARK BOLT XC/TRACK VOL. ASSIST. COACH
KYLE EMERICK MEN’S SOCCER VOL. ASST. COACH
JESSICA HART CHEER/STUNT HEAD COACH
STEPHEN CAVALLO THOMAS CHAMERAUD WOMEN’S SOCCER MEN’S SOCCER ASSISTANT COACH ASSOC. HEAD COACH
DAVE COPPOCK XC/TRACK HEAD COACH
MARCUS DRANGE GOLF ASSISTANT COACH
RHETT HIGHTOWER WOMEN’S BASKETBALL GOLF ASSISTANT COACH ASSISTANT COACH
JC ISAKSON MEN’S BASKETBALL GRAD. ASST. COACH
ANICA KNISPEL TRACK GRAD. ASST. COACH
NICH PERTUIT STRENGTH COACH
JESSICA RAYMAN SOFTBALL HEAD COACH
GUIDO RIFFESER MEN’S SOCCER ASSISTANT COACH
CASEY WILLIAMS VOLLEYBALL HEAD COACH
JONATHAN WOEHL XC/TRACK ASSISTANT COACH
KEVIN WOODIN
JENNY HERINGER
WOMEN’S SOCCER HEAD COACH
BASEBALL ASSISTANT COACH
FERNANDO PEREZ MEN’S SOCCER VOL. ASST. COACH
BRAD SCHMIT MEN’S BASKETBALL ASSISTANT COACH
JAMIE STEVENS MEN’S BASKETBALL HEAD COACH
CARLY WEHLING VOLLEYBALL ASSISTANT COACH
WOJTEK KRAKOWIAK PARKER KRUCKENBERG
72 | 2016 MSUB Cross Country Media Guide | @MSUBXCTF | www.msubsports.com
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL/GOLF
HEAD COACH