FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Birgitta Gray O: (406) 896-5917 E: birgitta.gray@msubillings.edu July 22, 2016 4 more sign with Yellowjacket track and field MSUB Track and Field on Facebook | MSUB Track and Field on ISSUU | MSUB 2016-17 NLI Signees
The MSUB women’s and men’s Yellowjacket cross country and track and field teams are welcoming four new recruits.
The MSUB women’s and men’s Yellowjacket cross country and track and field teams are welcoming four new recruits. BILLINGS, Mont. – Four student-athletes have joined the Yellowjacket track and field team while one will also be competing for the cross country squad head coach Dave Coppock announced Friday. The newest members to the track and field team are joining the largest Montana State University Billings recruiting class the program has seen. Coach Coppock and assistant coach Jonathan Woehl have signed 20 women to the Yellowjacket incoming class for the 2016-17 season. Brenna Beckett Broadview, Montana Broadview High School Track and Field: Sprints, Jumps Major: Health and Human Performance
Brenna Beckett competed in three sports for Broadview High School while maintaining an “A” average in her classes all four years of her prep career. As the team captain of the basketball squad last year, Beckett guided the team to a 25-2 finish last season. The Pirates held an undefeated record heading into the Montana girls state tournament. Beckett is a two-time all-conference honoree as the Pirates advanced to two state tournament runs during her career. She was named as a member to the 2016 Treasure State Classic tournament as a guard. Beckett competed as a middle hitter for the volleyball team. Her leadership roll continued as she was also named the team’s captain, earning three letters as a member of the squad. In track and field, Beckett is the two-time reigning MVP. She earned a placed in last season’s Top-10 Track Meet. Beckett was a member of the 2014 Southern C Divisional champion track and field team, the first in Broadview school history. She holds school records in the 400 meters (60.79), 200 meters (26.80), and as a member of the 4x100 meter relay team (53.40). Beckett on choosing MSUB: “I chose MSUB initially after being offered academic scholarships superior to any other school. The exciting opportunity to join a successful track and field team confirmed that I made the right choice. I’m looking forward to learning from both the professors and coaches while staying (probably too) close to my family and hometown.” Shelby Browning Winnett, Montana Winnett High School Track and Field: Jumps Major: Undecided Shelby Browning is the second member joining MSUB from a Montana C school. Browning was a four-sport studentathlete competing for Winnett High School in cross country, basketball, volleyball, and track & field. Browning earned 10 varsity letters during her prep career as a Ram. Browning was named the team captain of the basketball squad, earning all-conference honors last season. She was also named Most Inspirational and was a two-time participant at the state tournament. During Browning’s freshman season, the Rams were the runner-up at the Montana girls state tournament and placed third her sophomore season. In track and field, Browning began her prep career finishing fifth at the state track and field meet in the triple jump. She earned a third place result in both the triple and long jump her sophomore season. She improved on that by earning the state title the following year in the triple and long jump. Last season, Browning finished fifth in the long jump. Browning holds the school record in the long jump at 17 feet. Browning on choosing MSUB: “I chose MSUB because of its location and friendly environment.” Taylor Stringari Shepherd, Montana Shepherd High School Track and Field: Throws
Major: Undecided Taylor Stringari was a three-sport student-athlete at Shepherd High School. She is joining the Yellowjacket track and field team after earning four varsity letters for the Fillies’ team as a thrower. Stringari will also be reunited at MSUB with sister Katlyn, who competes for the Yellowjacket softball program. On the SHS volleyball team, Stringari was named the captain and earned the honor as the MVP in 2014. On the track and field team, Stringari was the 2013 district discus champion. The following season she placed in both discus and shot put. In 2015, Stringari finished seventh at state in the discus. Last year, she concluded her prep career as the district champion in both the shot put and discus. At the state meet, Stringari was the runner-up in the shot put and fourth in the discus. Stringari on choosing MSUB: “I chose Montana State University Billings because something just felt right. I wanted to compete at the college level in track and field and MSUB was an opportunity that I couldn’t bass by. I also love Billings, the community, and the atmosphere at the school. I have been blessed with the chance to continue by throwing career, and I wouldn’t want it to be anywhere else.” Isaiah Girard Dillon, Montana Beaverhead County High School Cross Country; Track and Field: Jumps, Middle Distance Major: Art Education Isaiah Girard is joining the MSU Billings men’s cross country and track and field teams after competing in both sports at Beaverhead County High School. A decorated athlete, Isaiah was a member of the 2016 track and field state championship team. He is a five-time allconference honoree and earned two all-state nods in track and field. Girard on choosing MSUB: “I contacted MSU Billings on attending and possibly participating in sports and I was on a campus visit the Monday after that. I fell in love with the campus and the program there.” MSUB Men’s Track and Field Name Rahkei Eyer Isaiah Girard Marcus Lindquist Kyle McLaughlin Ronald Venema
Hometown Boulder, MT Dillon, MT Missoula, MT Belgrade, MT Pinesdale, MT
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MSUB Women’s Track and Field Name Hometown Brenna Beckett Broadview, MT Shelby Browning Winnett, MT Baylie Bullington Lander, WY Jewlz Collins West Yellowstone, MT
Year Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr.
Lydia Foster Mikayla Jefferson Michaela Johnson Kassadee Kuoha Miranda Livingston Ella McKenzie Savannah Merritt Krysten Mossburg Jamie Orme Caitlin Sexton Catrina Schuchard Hailey Steinbeisser Taylor Stringari Ali Walker Halie Warren Kelby Wegner
Gillette, WY Billings, MT Burley, ID Columbia Falls, MT Livingston, MT Cheyenne, WY Helena, MT Sidney, MT Harlowton, MT Sidney, MT Shepherd, MT Park City, UT Miles City, MT Medical Lakes, WA
Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Sr. Fr. Jr.
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