NAU's David McNeill now holds the conference record in the 3,000-meters
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OGDEN, Utah (Feb. 16, 2010) - The Big Sky Indoor Championship is now only nine days away. This next weekend will previde Big Sky athletes one more chance to hit qualifying marks.
Six of the nine Big Sky programs will be in action this weekend. Some will use it to get more athletes in the Big Sky Championship and others will be looking to fine tune so to keep sharp for the final event of the Big Sky indoor season.
Northern Arizona’s David McNeill will not be one of those athletes looking to get a qualifying time, as he posted an NCAA Automatic time in the 3,000-meter last weekend at the UW Husky Classic. His time of 7:47.52 is the best in the nation this season, along with surpassing fellow Lumberjack Lopez Lomong’s Big Sky Conference record of 7:49.74.
“I kind of feel bad for erasing such a legend’s name from the board, but he still has a few other ones there, so I don’t feel too bad,” joked McNeill. “It is special to be able to say that you have broken an Olympian and U.S. flag-bearer’s indoor record. It is one of the career highlights for me.”
The 2010 Big Sky Conference Indoor Track and Field Championship will be held Feb. 26-27 at the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse in Bozeman, Mont.
Big Sky Athletes of the Week
Women’s Track
Heather Haug, Montana State
Sophomore - Laurel, Mont.
Haug ran a 4:48.78 mile on Friday to win the event at the Fleet Feet meet and better her conference topping mark. She is currently first on the Big Sky list in the event. She also ran a personal best of 2:17.50 in the 800.
Also Nominated: Whitney Leavitt, EWU; Erica Wendt-Richardson, ISU; Katrina Drennen, UM; Annie Skordas, NAU; Shaylee Robinette, NC; Gerronne Black, PSU; Renisha Robinson, SAC
Men’s Track
David McNeill, Northern Arizona
Senior - Melbourne, Australia
McNeill scorched past the field at the UW Husky Classic, in a time of 7:47.52 to win the men’s 3,000-meter race. The national-leading mark set by McNeill also gives him the Big Sky indoor record. A recond that was previously held by former Lumberjack Lopez Lomong.
Also Nominated: Kyle King, EWU; Eric Strand, ISU; Casey Weinman, UM; Patrick Casey, MSU; Tyler Hoerner, NC; Tony Crisofulli, PSU
Women’s Field
Jessie Greany - Montana State
Senior - Belgrade, Mont.
Greany won the Fleet Feet meet, jumping 5’6” in the event tying her career best mark. She remains tied for the top spot on the Big Sky performce list.
Also Nominated: Erica Chaney, EWU; Cassie Merkley, ISU; Kelsey Smith, UM; Lauren Stewart, NAU
Men’s Field
Ronald Brookins, Sacramento State
Junior - San Diego, Calif.
Brookins extended his conference leading mark in the long and tied for first place at the Husky Classic at Washington. The junior jumped a season best 23-feet, 10-inches and now leads the Big Sky by 7.25 inches.
Also Nominated: David Howard, EWU; Tyson Gunter, ISU; Chris Hellekson, UM; Bob Bikupiak, MSU; Javier Villreal, NAU