Former Montana State great Christy Otte was a six-time 400 meter Big Sky champion, and that is a big reason she ranks 23rd on the list of the Big Sky Conference’s “25 Greatest Female Athletes.’’
Otte competed at Montana State from 1995-1999 after a standout prep career at Billings Central High School in Billings, Mont. She currently lives in Helena, Mont.
“This is a huge honor for me,’’ Otte said. “I kind of heard something was going on. I thought it was sport-by-sport. To be honored is a really special honor.’’
In Otte’s first season with the Bobcats, she won the 400 meters. It was the first of six wins at the Big Sky Championship in the event.
“Each race was different,’’ she said. “The most special one was winning on my home track.’’
At the 1996 Indoor Championship, Otte won the 400 meter title. She successfully defended her title in 1997 and 1998, along with winning the 200 meters.
Otte was named Track Athlete of the Meet after the conference championship in 1996, 1997 and 1998. The 1998 indoor championship was held at Worthington Arena in Bozeman.
In 1998 Otte competed at the NCAA Championships where she finished eighth with a time of 56.44 seconds.
Otte holds the Big Sky Championship and all-time record in the 400 meters with a time of 53.12 set in 1998.
At the Outdoor Championship, Otte successfully defended her title in 1996 and 1997. In 1997 she also won the 200 meters.
After the 1997 championship, Otte was named Track Outstanding Athlete.
Otte ranks second all-time in the 400 meters with a time of 53.12 set in 1996. Northern Arizona’s Samantha George broke that record in 1998 with a time of 53.01. Otte redshirted the 1998 outdoor season.
In Otte’s last season with MSU, she finished second at the outdoor championship in 1999 with a time of 53.71. Cal State Northridge’s Annetta Wells won the race with a time of 53.65.
All told, Otte won 13 Big Sky Conference Championships and garnered All-America honors. She was also a multiple Academic All-American. Six times she was named the Outstanding Performer at the conference championship.
“That was always a really big honor, being recognized by the other coaches,’’ Otte said. “There were other athletes that were more deserving, but to be singled out like that was just a different type of honor.’’
