Quartet joins men's track and field

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Birgitta Gray O: (406) 896-5917 E: birgitta.gray@msubillings.edu June 17, 2016 Quartet joins MSUB men’s track and field MSUB Track and Field on Facebook | MSUB Track and Field on ISSUU | MSUB 2016-17 NLI Signees

The MSUB men’s track and field team is welcoming four recruits for the 2016-17 season.

Four student-athletes have signed a National Letter of Intent and are joining the MSUB men’s track and field team for the 2016-17 season.

BILLINGS, Mont. – Four student-athletes have signed a National Letter of Intent and will compete for the Montana State University Billings men’s track and field team beginning in 2016 the Yellowjacket department of athletics released Friday.

All four new recruits are joining the Yellowjackets from schools across the state of Montana. Two of the four will be dual-athletes for the cross country and track & field teams while two will focus on sprints and jumps.

Rahkei Eyer Boulder, Montana Jefferson High School Track and Field: Middle Sprints, Relay Major: Education

Rahkei Eyer was a three-sport standout athlete at Jefferson High School. During his prep career, Eyer was a four-year member of the football, basketball, and track teams. At 6-foot-1, Eyer was a post player for the basketball team that finished with a 36-16 record under Coach Clint Layng. On the gridiron, Eyer was a four-year member of the Panther football team, earning a second team all-conference accolade.

For the track team, Eyer was a four-year all-state honoree. He holds school records, running the anchor leg, in the 4x100 meter relay in 43.42 and the 4x400 meter relay in 3:25.11.

Eyer on why he chose MSUB: “I chose MSUB because they have a supportive coaching staff, an opportunity for a great education in a student-centered atmosphere, and I will get a chance to compete with GREAT TEAMMATES.” Marcus Lindquist Missoula, Montana Big Sky High School Track and Field: Sprints / Jumps Major: Criminal Justice Marcus Lindquist is set to join the Yellowjackets in track and field to compete in the sprints and jumps. The native of Missoula, Mont., plans to earn a degree in criminal justice, and will be joining older brother Austin on the team.

At Big Sky High School, Lindquist was a four-year letter winner for the Eagles. He was an all-conference and all-state selection in both the long jump and triple jump. Lindquist was named the MVP for his team on the 4x4 relay and multievents. He also earned academic all-state recognition for his performance in the classroom.

Lindquist on why he chose MSUB: “I chose MSUB because it offered the degree I’ve had in my mind-set for a while, and the track team was definitely a bonus.”

Kyle McLaughlin Belgrade, Montana Belgrade High School Cross Country; Track and Field: Middle Distance, Relays Major: Criminal Justice Kyle McLaughlin will compete for both the cross country and track and field teams at MSUB after earning seven varsity letters during his prep career at Belgrade High School. McLaughlin is the second student-athlete joining the Yellowjackets planning to earn a degree in criminal justice.

McLaughlin was a four-year member of the varsity cross country team and a three-year participant on the track and field squad.

McLaughlin on why he chose MSUB: “While looking into the cross country program that MSUB offered, I found many things that appealed to me, including the smaller class sizes and a friendly atmosphere where the staff and students know each other. MSUB allows me to stay in Montana close to my family while still running competitively.”

Ronald Venema Pinesdale, Montana

Corvallis High School Cross Country; Track and Field: Middle Distance Major: Elementary Education Ronald Venema is joining MSU Billings after competing for the Blue Devils of Corvallis High school. A native of Pinesdale, Mont., Venema was a three-year participant on the cross country team and spent four years competing for the track and field team.

He was a three-year all-state selection in cross country and was named an all-state selection in track and field last season. Venema was the team captain for the cross country squad. He holds the school record in cross country at 15:37.

Venema on why he chose MSUB: “I chose MSUB because I could see the strength of the cross country and track and field programs and I wanted to be a part of it and help strengthen the programs further.�

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