SPEARFISH, S.D. -- December 4, 2016 -- Chadron State College track and field got its 2016-17 season started on Saturday at the Yellow Jacket Holiday Classic in Spearfish. The Eagles took first place in 7 of the 10 women's events they entered, as well as seven of the eight men's events in which they participated.

Mel Herl automatically qualified for the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships in the women's weight throw with a toss of 21.36 meters (70' 1") to win her event. In the process she set a new school record in the weight throw, previously held by Jessica Horsley, by a margin of nearly seven feet.

Also qualifying provisionally was Ashlyn Hanson, who set a new personal best throwing 16.56 meters (54' 4") in the weight throw competition. She finished third.

In the men's weight throw Jesse Bleidt led the way with a provisional qualifying throw of 17.62 meters, upping his personal best by more than a meter.

Blake Jacobs also reached the provisional qualifying mark in the men's shot put with a toss of 16.37 meters (53' 8.5") to win the competition.

Other women's event winners included Tessa Gorsuch (7.80, 60m; 8.72, 60mH), Cassie Johnson (26.45, 200m), Alisha Heelan (59.52, 400m), Nicky Banzhaf (unattached-10:53.38, 3000m), and Maddie Brashears (5.58m/18' 3.75", LJ).

Other men's individual winners were Matthew Klein (23.29, 200m; 8.42, 60mH), Cory Salitrik (51.60, 400m), Greg Peterson (6.23m/20' 5.25", LJ), and Kharon Hall (14.07m/46' 2", TJ).

Chadron State Women's Results
                60—1, Tessa Gorsuch, 7.80; 2, BrookLynn York, 8.07; 4, Maddie Brashears, 8.15.
                200—1, Cassie Johnson, 26.45; 3, Alisha Heelan, 26.95; 4, Chasidy Horton, 26.97; 5, BrookLynn York, 27.10; 6, Tory Snyder, 27.45.
                400—1, Alisha Heelan, 59.52; 3, Cassie Johnson, 1:00.98; 5, Sierra Martinez, 1:01.13; 7, Alyssa Valko, 1:03.56; 8, Haley Gallagher, 1:04.60.
                3000—1, Nicky Banzhaf, Unattached, 10:53.38.
                60 high hurdles—1, Tessa Gorsuch, 8.72; 4, Chasidy Horton, 9.51; 8, Alyssa Valko, 9.95.
                High jump—2, Haley Gallagher, 1.53m (5-00.25); 7, Michelle Carbajal, 1.48m (4-10.25).
                Pole vault—3, Haley Gallagher, 3.05m (10-00); 3, Tory Snyder, 3.05m (10-00); 5, Courtney Anderson, 2.75m (9-00.25).
                Long jump—1, Maddie Brashears, 5.58m (18-03.75).
                Shot put—4, Ashton Hallsted, 10.89m (35-08.75); 8, Devon Winter, 10.32m (33-10.25).
                Weight throw—1, Mel Herl, 21.36m (70-01); 3, Ashlyn Hanson, 16.56m (54-04); 4, Keri Ruff, 16.10m (52-10); 5, Danielle Weyer, 14.18m (46-06.25); 7, Ashton Hallsted, 13.66m (44-09.75); 11, Devon Winter, 11.26m (36-11.50).

Chadron State Men's Results
                60—2, Javan Lanier, 6.89; 5, Matthew Klein, 7.30; 6, Cory Salitrik, 7.42.
                200—1, Matthew Klein, 23.29; 2, Javan Lanier, 23.35; 5, Cody Davis, 23.76; 6, Cory Salitrik, 23.79; 12, Austin Fajfer, 24.07.
                400—1, Cory Salitrik, 51.60; 4, Justin Lema, 52.14; 5, Austin Fajfer, 52.28; 6, Cody Davis, 52.30.
                60 high hurdles—1, Matthew Klein, 8.42.
                Long jump—1, Greg Peterson, 6.23m (20-05.25); 5, Kharon Hall, 6.11m (20-00.50); 7, Derek Perkins, 5.98m (19-07.50).
                Triple jump—1, Kharon Hall, 14.07m (46-02); 2, Dez Smith, 13.50m (44-03.50); 3, Derek Perkins, 12.76m (41-10.50);
                Shot put—1, Blake Jacobs, 16.37m (53-08.50); 3, David Aldridge, 15.21m (49-11); 4, Cory Martens, 14.54m (47-08.50).                
                Weight throw—1, Jesse Bleidt, 17.62m (57-09.75); 2, Blake Jacobs, 16.68m (54-08.75); 3, Cory Martens, 16.34m (53-07.50); 5, Frantzlee LaCrete, 15.31m (50-02.75); 6, David Aldridge, 14.50m (47-07).