Exciting Day One Recap: Montana Tech Stars At Outdoor Nationals

The following is from the Montana Tech Sports Information Department:

MARION, Indiana- Day one of the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships has drawn to a close, with several Orediggers seeing competition.

The men's hammer throw saw three flights of competitors from around the country. Oredigger Cade VanVleet finished the event in 14^th place overall with a throw of 55.84m (183'-2")- a new PR. Cade entered the Championships as the 16th-ranked thrower in the country after winning the Frontier Conference Championships with a throw of 55.70m.

The prelims of the men's 400 hurdles had four full heats compete, fighting for a shot at the final on Saturday. Montana Tech's Adam Schrader running in heat #2 put up a finishing time of 55.86. In a very fast field, that time did not get him into the final Saturday.

Rylee Armstrong continued a busy day for the Orediggers in the field events. The Montana Tech freshman entered the long jump competition as the 7th-ranked competitor and was placed in the final flight of the event. Rylee was able to jump 5.10m which landed her in 24^th place overall.

The final field event of day one was the women's javelin. Three full flights started at 7pm local time. Two Orediggers were in the field of 31, Tyra Opperman and Jenna Jordan. Tyra hit the NAIA A standard during the Frontier Conference Championships when she threw 40.92m. That throw put her into the competition as the 16th-ranked opponent. Teammate Jenna Jordan entered the Championships as the 24^th ranked thrower, with a season-best of 40.42m.

Jenna was seeded in flight three, and Tyra in flight two. Jenna topped out at 40.97m- a 2024 season best- that was good for 14^th place, and Tyra put up a throw of 37.28m, finishing in 24^th.

The spotlight of day one spent plenty of time on the Multis, the Men's decathlon, and the Women's pentathlon. Oredigger All-American Abby Clark is currently in 7^th place overall, after the four events held on day one. Her 3,028 points are well within striking distance of the top of the leaderboard. The final three events (long jump, javelin, and the 800m) will be held tomorrow.

Day two will also see Oredigger Ian Barville compete in the prelims of the 800m.

Day three will see Abby Clark compete in the women's high jump. It will also see teammates Cade VanVleet and Jesse Mecham in the men's shot put.

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