UM qualifies for Big Sky championships

As snow fell on the first outdoor meet of the year, two weeks after their coach announced his pending retirement, potential distractions surrounded the Montana track and field teams last weekend.

Instead it was all business, as both the men’s and women’s squads heated up the rubber at Dornblaser Field to open the outdoor season in fine fashion. 

Headlined by Curtis Bean’s Midwest Region Championship qualifier in the hammer throw and a decisive win in the women’s 1600-meter relay, Montana’s outdoor track and field teams had 20 Big Sky Conference qualifiers and 16 individual winners at the Al Manuel Invitational.

“I was surprised by the weather, because this event is usually held a week earlier every year,” said head coach Tom Raunig, who coached in his 12th and final Al Manuel event this weekend after announcing that he will be accepting a teaching position at the University of Great Falls. “Even with the weather, we were really well-prepared for this event, kind of chomping at the bit to get the season started.”

Bean opened the meet Friday with a personal best in the hammer throw, tossing a 195-6 to take second in the event. His mark was good enough to qualify for the NCAA Midwest Regional held May 30-31 in Lincoln, Neb.

The men’s team continued to show promise all weekend, earning a sweep in the dual competition, with wins over Montana State, Eastern Washington and Gonzaga. James Brown captured wins in the 100 and 200, while Landon Bowery won the 110 hurdles and 400 hurdles.

In perhaps the feel-good story of the weekend, senior Jesse Loether set a career record in the 800 winning at 1:52.64. He qualified for conference after not competing in more than a year due to a series of injuries.

“It felt amazing to be out there. It’s been over a year,” Loether said. “I didn’t think I would run that well.”

“He’s really stuck with it,” Raunig said of Loether. “He’s had to work through three injuries, dating back to cross country, so I think right now he’s exceeding everyone’s expectations.”

The women’s team also had strong storylines across the board. Senior Baily Cox was a double winner in the long jump and triple jump, and freshman Bridgette Hoenke wowed the crowd with a comeback victory in the final seconds of the 800.

After shattering the school indoor mark this winter with a record time of 3:46:83, the 1600-meter relay team was back at it again Saturday. The foursome - Jenna Haven, Erin Clark, Stephanie Radke and Loni Perkins-Judisch – won in 3:55.06.

“I think we do really well together. We really push each other in practice,” said Perkins-Judisch, who noted that the team’s chemistry has evolved from being able to practice together rather than individually.

Perkins-Judisch completed her standout day by beating her teammate Clark in the 400. She followed that up by winning the 200 in 25.11. Perkins-Judisch, who owns the school record in the 400, said it felt good to start the season, although it is also the beginning of the last leg of her phenomenal career at UM.

“I don’t have many chances left,” she said. “I just want to run each 400 like it is my last and try and stay healthy.”

Trying to stay healthy is a main concern of Raunig’s, who said that both teams were affected by injuries this weekend. Notable women’s athletes Katrina Drennen and Allie Brosh didn’t compete in Missoula, and junior Amber Aikins was limited to field events. Raunig also noted that talented freshman Clark Cranford has been hampered all season long, but will compete this weekend at the Eastern Washington Invitational in Cheney.

After a strong showing, Loether said he wants to continue focusing on running well and staying healthy, as well as helping his teammates do the same.

“Now that I’m qualified for conference, I just want to focus on building up my teammates and help them get better and stay healthy,” he said.

Loether also said that Raunig’s retirement last week would be not be a distraction, at least not for him.

“He’s put a lot of time and effort into me,” he said. “This season I want to give as much back as I can.”