2 wins against DI competition earns Peterson GNAC Athlete of the Week honors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Birgitta Gray O: (406) 896-5917 E: birgitta.gray@msubillings.edu May 2, 2016 2 wins against DI competition earns Peterson GNAC Athlete of the Week honors MSUB Track and Field on Facebook | MSUB Track and Field on ISSUU GNAC Release | MSUB GNAC Players of the Week

Senior Robert Peterson was awarded GNAC Athlete of the Week after winning two events at the Montana Open.

Senior Robert Peterson earns his eighth career GNAC Athlete of the Week honor after winning two events at the Montana Open last week in Missoula.

PORTLAND, Ore. – Senior Robert Peterson earned the Male Track Great Northwest Athletic Conference Athlete of the Week honors the conference office announced Monday.

Peterson swept through the Montana Open last week in Missoula, Mont., winning two events.

In just his second time competing in the event, Peterson won the 800 meters in a school record time of 1:53.18. The new standard bested the 2014 time from the previous record-holder Drew Galahan of 1:55.09. Peterson’s time is the ninth fastest in the conference this season.

The Skyview High School graduate also won the men’s 3,000 meter steeplechase in 9:28.07. The adjusted time of 9:21.28 is the third-best time performed in the conference this season.

“It is an honor to have Robert named Athlete of the Week, MSUB head coach Dave Coppock said. “He had a great showing at the Montana Open against some good competition winning both the steeplechase and 800 meters; events he’s only run once prior to this meet. His steeple is coming along really and there’s quite a learning curve to that event, so I think he’ll drop some more time by Conference.”

Robert Peterson

“We ran the 800 meters just to get some speed in, which he’ll need at GNAC, as well,” Coppock continued. “He’s in great condition now and we’re just now phasing into faster, sharper and more intense workouts. I think we’ll peak at just the right time. The next priority for Robert will be to get an NCAA qualifying mark good enough to make the cut for the Championships at the end of May. He may also have a shot in the steeplechase, but we’ll have to wait and see how he does at GNAC.”

This is Peterson’s eighth overall GNAC Athlete of the Week honor and third in track and field.

Next up for the Yellowjackets, MSUB returns to Missoula, Mont., for the Tom Cage Classic on Friday, May 6. The GNAC Championships are May 13-14 in Monmouth, Ore. --@MSUBSports | #JacketNation--