Fossen, Ricketts, Saberhagen and Thompson Claim #BigSkyTF Athlete of the Week Honors
FARMINGTON, Utah (April 5, 2021) – On a weekend where the majority of the Big Sky Conference was in action, the league office has announced the weekly award winners for the most recent slate of outdoor track and field competition.
Women’s Track Athlete of the Week – Lexie Thompson (Weber State)
When Lexie Thompson crossed the finish line at the Hayward Premier, she had not only broken the Weber State all-time record, but also the all-time record in the Big Sky Conference.
Thompson’s time of 32:49.62 in the 10,000-meters moved her ahead of the previous Big Sky record holder Sarah Callister, who also competed for Weber State. Callister’s time of 32:51.17 was set in 2012, and has been topped by a fellow Wildcat.
The mark also puts her No. 3 in the NCAA West Region and No. 4 in the entire NCAA, along with claiming her Big Sky Women’s Track Athlete of the Week honors for the second time this season.
Other Nominees: Samiah Kuntz (EWU), Kaila Gibson (PSU), Mikayla Revera (SAC), Malaina Thacker (UI), Camila Noe (MSU), Sinclair Watson (SUU), Elizabeth Butler (ISU) and Melanie Loff (NAU)
Men’s Track Athlete of the Week – Christian Ricketts (Southern Utah)
Also competing in the 10K at the Hayward Premier, Southern Utah’s Christian Ricketts has earned the title of Big Sky Men’s Track Athlete of the Week.
Running the top time in the Big Sky this season of 28:40.62, Ricketts propelled himself to No. 10 in the NCAA West Region and No. 19 in the entire NCAA. It is also the second best mark in SUU history, behind only former Bowerman Award winner Cam Levins.
For Ricketts, this was his first outdoor meet of the season as he is just weeks removed from running for the Thunderbirds at the NCAA Cross Country National Championships, where he earned All-American status.
Other Nominees: Justin Roosma (EWU), Tracen Warnick (WSU), Josh Snyder (PSU), Jabari Reynolds (SAC), Caleb Hagan (UI), Drake Schneider (MSU), Collin Dylla (ISU), Joel Mendez (UM and Alex Alton (NAU)
Women’s Field Athlete of the Week – Morgan Fossen (Eastern Washington)
Posting the top pole vault mark in the Big Sky Conference this season, EWU’s Morgan Fossen has earned the title of Women’s Field Athlete of the Week.
Her mark of 4.18m (13’ 8.5”) set at the Whitworth H.I.R. Invite moved her into No. 7 in the NCAA West Region, and No. 16 in the entire NCAA so far this season. She is also now No. 2 all-time in EWU history.
Over the weekend, Fossen also set personal bests in the 200-meter and the long jump while competing at the Whitworth Invite.
Other Nominees: Lauren Olsen (WSU), Shantel Nnaji (SAC), Hannah Ringel (UI), Lucy Corbett (MSU), Amy Pouliot (SUU), Tanessa Morris (UM), Anna Gardom (ISU) and Alaina Diggs (NAU)
Men’s Field Athlete of the Week – Ethan Saberhagen (Montana State)
With the best discus throw the Big Sky Conference has seen so far this season, Montana State’s Ethan Saberhagen has been named Big Sky Field Athlete of the Week.
Saberhagen’s toss of 56.42m (185’ 1”) at the Chris Rinne Twilight moved him into third in Montana State History.
The mark also slots him No. 10 in the event in the NCAA West Region and No. 19 in the entire NCAA standings.
Other Nominees: Colton Kautz (EWU), Cody Canard (WSU), Jean Rwandika (PSU), Evan Stork (SAC), Grady Leonard (UI), Jordan Porcaro (SUU), Brent Yeakey (UM), Owen Mitchell (ISU) and Mitchell Effing (NAU)
Previous Winners
3/22/2021
W. Track: Lexie Thompson (WSU)
M. Track: Parker Bowden (EWU)
W. Field: Kimberly Buchanan (NAU)
M. Field: Parker Joens (NAU)
3/29/2021
W. Track: Malaina Thacker (UI)
M. Track: Parker Bowden (EWU)
W. Field: Ashley VanVleet-Sturgis (ISU)
M. Field: Treyshon Malone (ISU)