The Eastern Washington University track and field team closed out the regular outdoor track season today (May 4) at the Tom Gage Classic in Missoula, Mont., with a top-3 sweep in the women's pole vault.

Junior Elizabeth Prouty and senior Erin Clark tied for first in the event with a clearance of 12-2 3/4. Senior Macey Weitz also had the same mark, but placed third due to a tiebreaker.

"This was the final chance for athletes to show us what they have as the coaches meet tomorrow to pick the Big Sky squad," women's head coach Marcia Mecklenburg said. "We came in and did what we needed to do and moved a few more athletes up on the Big Sky lists. Big Sky's are next. It's show time."

"The travel schedule for this meet demands a little more from everyone in terms of vigilance due to starting their day at 5:30 a.m., traveling four hours by bus to the site, competing, and jumping back on the bus for the four-hour ride back home," men's head coach Stan Kerr said. "But, we're ready for the championships."

The Big Sky Outdoor Championships start this Tuesday (May 8) in Moscow, Idaho, with the heptathlon and decathlon events. The rest of the meet continues on May 10.

Top Performers

On the women's side, other top finishes included freshman Selina Koon in the high jump with a mark of 5-3 1/4, placing third. Sophomore Samantha Raines placed fourth in the 100-meter dash with a time of 12.49 and freshman Vernice Keyes took fourth in the discus with a throw of 142-10.

On the men's side, senior Scott Miller took second in the discus with a throw of 170-7. Sophomore Tim Beard also placed second in the hammer with a mark of 186-7. Senior Trenton Osborn earned third in the long jump with a mark of 22-11 1/4.

More comments from women's head coach Marcia Mecklenburg . . .

On individuals: "Making their case were Selina Koon in the high jump, and Vernice Keyes and Jessica Van Orman in the discus. All three of those athletes set personal records in their respective events. This week it was Erin Clark and Elzabeth Prouty's turn to win the vault."

More comments from men's head coach Stan Kerr . . .

On individuals: "Our throwers, Shawn Buck, Scott Miller, and Tony Chan stood out today.   Watching them perform at this level is great because our meet next week is the outdoor championships.  Andrew Morgan also had a solid day in the high jump.  

Women's Final Marks/Times

100m | Samantha Raines, So. – 4th, 12.49; Bella Millsap, Fr. – 7th, 12.81

200m | Janessa Day, Sr. – 7th, 26.98; Kendra Fields, Sr. – 10th, 28.42

400m | Janessa Day, Sr. – 9th, 1:03.33; Kendra Fields, Sr. – 10th, 1:04.41

100 hurdles | Bella Millsap, Fr. – 7th, 16.21; Cierra Kohlman, Fr. – 10th, 18.67

400 hurdles | Olivia Rickey, Fr. – 6th, 1:07.75

High jump | Selina Koon, Fr. – 3rd, 5-3 1/4

Pole vault | Elizabeth Prouty, Jr. – T1st 12-2 3/4; Erin Clark, Sr. – T1st, 12-2 3/4; Macey Weitz, Sr. – 3rd, 12-2 3/4; 13th, Katrina Terry, Fr. – 13th, 10-3 1/4

Long jump | Cierra Kohlman, Fr. – 8th, 16-4 1/4

Triple jump | Megan Murphy, Sr. – 4th, 36-6 1/4

Shot put | Reille Jones, Fr. – 6th, 35-3

Discus | Vernie Keyes, Fr. – 4th, 142-10; Jessica Van Orman, Jr. – 5th, 139-4

Hammer | Reille Jones, Fr. – 12th, 127-10

Javelin | Sierrah Hardy, Fr. – 8th, 115-7

Men's Final Marks/Times

100m | Miguel Punsalan, Fr. – 5th, 11.22; Cole Harrison, Fr. – 6th, 11.34

200m | Cole Harrison, Fr. – 4th 22.93

High jump | Andrew Morgan, Sr. – T4th, 6-5

Long jump | Trenton Osborn, Sr. – 3rd, 22-11 1/4

Shot put | Colton Kautz, Fr. – 8th, 47-1 3/4; Tony Chan, Fr. – 9th, 47-1 3/4; Johnny Law, Fr. – 14th, 40-1 1/4

Discus | Scott Miller, Sr. – 2nd, 170-7; Colton Kautz, Fr. – 4th, 162-5

Hammer | Tim Beard, So. – 2nd, 186-7; Shawn Buck, Sr. – 3rd, 180-10; Trevor Payne, Fr. – 7th, 158-6; Lukas Leitis, Jr. – 8th, 151-9; Colton Kautz, Fr. – 11th, 138-8