FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Birgitta Gray O: (406) 896-5917 E: birgitta.gray@msubillings.edu April 11, 2016 Lyle named GNAC Athlete of the Week MSUB Track and Field on Facebook | MSUB Track and Field on ISSUU MSUB GNAC Players of the Week
Senior Della Lyle earned her first GNAC Athlete of the Week honor after winning two events at the Bauer Invitational.
MSUB senior Della Lyle earns her first career GNAC Track Athlete of the Week honor. PORTLAND, Ore. – MSUB senior Della Lyle was named the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Women’s Track Athlete of the Week the conference office announced Monday. Lyle won the 3,000 meter steeplechase at the South Dakota School of Mines Bauer Invitational on Saturday in Rapid City, S.D., in record-setting time. The senior crossed the finish line in 11:12.14 (which converts to 11:03.90) to take the title. The time shattered the MSUB record in the event by more than 47 seconds, besting the 2015 record from Melanie Bock of 11:59.81. Lyle's time is a NCAA provisional qualifying mark, a GNAC automatic qualifying time, and the second-best time in the conference this season. Lyle came away with two titles at the Bauer invitational, also winning the women's 5,000 meters in 19:07.46.
The native of Buffalo, Wyo., is a transfer this year from Redlands University. Lyle completed her undergraduate degree in California and is pursuing a master’s degree in psychology at MSU Billings. Lyle had one season each of indoor and outdoor track and field eligibility remaining. “Della finally had a chance to get back out and run the steeplechase for the first time this season last Saturday at the Bauer Invitational,” MSUB head coach Dave Coppock said. “She is ranked 19th in NCAA Division II which is a major accomplishment. She ran her race so comfortably last weekend that it looks like she has a lot of upside and should be able to bring that steeple time down.” “Last weekend she also entered the 5,000 meters for a workout at the last minute and went on to win it. It was a long, hot day, so she ran a pretty good time under the conditions,” Coppock continued. “We’re just really fortunate to have Della join us as a graduate student for her final season of track and I hope she ends up having a great experience. Getting to the NCAA Championships would be a good way to go out, so we’re working towards that.” At the GNAC Indoor Championships in February, Lyle was named the GNAC Female Newcomer of the Year. Lyle scored six points for the Yellowjacket team. She placed fourth in the women's 5,000 meters, shattering the MSUB school record with a finish of 17:41.12. On Day 2, Lyle placed eighth in the women's 3,000 meter race smashing another MSUB record with a season's best time of 10:07.26. Lyle now holds three MSUB school records: indoor 3,000 meters (10:07.26), indoor 5,000 meters (17:41.12) and the outdoor 3,000 meter steeplechase (11:12.14). MSU Billings is hosting the Third Annual Yellowjacket Battlin’ Bears Open on Thursday, Apr. 14, in Laurel, Mont., at the Laurel Sports Complex located across from the high school. The meet begins at 1 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public. --@MSUBSports | #JacketNation--