Yote Pair Notch NAIA Qualifying Times
Tyler Hopper nearly had a pair of victories and Jayne Saunders became the first Coyote to notch an NAIA Championships qualifying time, as the Albertson College track team competed this afternoon at the Al Manuel Open, hosted by the University of Montana.
Competing against primarily NCAA Division I competitors, Hopper took home the victory in the 1,500-meters, winning the race in 4:01.02. He was nosed out at the tape in the 800, taking second in 1:55.79.
Saunders took fourth in the 400-hurdles, but her time of 1:05.95 met the NAIA "B" Standard for the national championships, to be held in Fresno, Calif., this May.
Other Coyote men to run well included Sam Hardy, who was fourth in the 800 (4:08.56), and Jesse Chlebeck, who was fourth in the 5,000 (15:33.27). The women saw Shannon Edwards take fifth in the 5,000 (18:41.32), with Stephanie Sparks taking fifth in the 800 (2:21.76).