Track teams host outdoor season opener

The University of Montana track and field teams are looking to improve after a strong indoor season, and this weekend they will have the chance to continue their success, with hopes of cooperative weather.

The Grizzlies will take on Montana State, Eastern Washington, Gonzaga and a smattering of athletes from Carroll College and MSU-Billings for their first meet of the outdoor season as they host the Al Manuel Invitational Friday and Saturday at Dornblaser Field in Missoula. 

The women’s hammer throw will begin the action at 3 p.m. Friday followed by the men’s hammer throw. The rest of the events will start at 10:45 a.m. on Saturday. 

Both UM teams were picked to finish fifth in the conference, but they are hoping to finish higher. 

The women’s team is heading into the events with plenty of momentum, after finishing in a tie for fourth in the indoor season. The 94 points earned was the team’s best finish ever in an indoor championship. 

The weather is a concern though, as conditions lately have been anywhere from blue skies to bitter cold, snowy days. 

“This one will be an ice breaker both literally and figuratively,” coach Tom Raunig said. “Hopefully the weather will cooperate because we’ve been set back by this winter dragging on.”

Despite the difficulties of having already trained outside on the ice and in the cold weather, optimism abounds. 

“I think we’re going to do really well,” sophomore distance runner Kara Dewalt said. “We’re competing at a high level right now and with the small field, I think we have a good shot at winning this one.”

If the women’s team earns a third-place finish or higher in outdoor competition, it will have had its best season in 21 years, but Dewalt is still somewhat concerned.

She said that although the team has had injuries, and bad weather and training facilities, the Griz still have a great chance to finish high in the final standings. 

The team is led by standout sprinter Loni Perkins-Judisch who ran at a blistering pace throughout the indoor season, winning three titles and setting three school records in the 200 meters, 400 meters and 1600-meter relay. 

The men’s team finished sixth indoors this year. The Griz men are hoping to put things together as they head outside.

“I think this team is capable, and we tend to pick it up outdoors,” senior thrower James Stanton said. “This will be a good measure against good teams, especially the Bobcats.” Although the steeplechase will be thinned by red-shirting runners, the team has a chance to join the top teams of the Big Sky Conference. 

“We’re all in shape and ready to go and we’re going to give 110 percent and do whatever it takes,” senior sprinter James Brown said. “We hope to win, and we want to win, so I think we’re ready to win.”

With Sacramento State representing the toughest team in the conference, Raunig is encouraged by the way the men’s team is getting healthy at just the right time. 

Another aspect of successful teams is chemistry, and the Grizzlies seem to have found some. 

Senior distance runner Duncan Hendrick said the entire team has been coming together and are a close group. 

“It’s not just every section hanging out in their own little group, and I think we can have a really strong season,” Hendrick said.