FARMINGTON, Utah (January 17, 2022) – The countdown to the 2022 Big Sky Championships is officially on, and with it came an exciting weekend of indoor track and field across the entire league.
Following the action-packed slate, the Big Sky Conference has announced the winners of the league’s four Indoor T&F Athlete of the Week awards.
Women’s Track Athlete of the Week - Katie Camarena (Portland State)
Picking up her second honor of the 2021-22 season, Portland State’s Katie Camarena has been named Women’s Track Athlete of the Week in the Big Sky Conference.
Camarena ran a school record time in the 3K at the UW Indoor Preview, crossing the finish line in 9:16.35. That time also puts her fifth in Big Sky Conference history.
She now owns the top time in the Big Sky this year, and the 13
th best time in the NCAA so far this season.
Others Nominated: Kenya Coburn (Northern Arizona), Regina Mpigachai (Northern Colorado), Macy White (Montana State), Alison Pray (Southern Utah), Kelsey Swenson (Idaho), Elizabeth Butler (Idaho State)
Men’s Track Athlete of the Week – Duncan Hamilton (Montana State)
Following a season where he was the Big Sky’s lone representative at the NCAA National Championship, Montana State’s Duncan Hamilton had a strong mile run at the Bobcat Challenge over the weekend to be named Men’s Track Athlete of the Week.
Hamilton ran a converted 3:56.89, putting him on top of the Big Sky leaderboard in the event and third in the entire nation behind two athletes from the Pac-12. In Big Sky history, it’s the third-fastest mark ever, just edging out Geordie Beamish’s 3:56.90 for the slot.
This mark’s his second sub-four-minute collegiate mile.
Others Nominated: Jordan MacIntosh (Portland State), David Dunlap (Northern Arizona), Jaydon Green (Montana), Justin Roosma (Eastern Washington), Nate Osterstock (Southern Utah), Lorenz Herrmann (Idaho), Collin Dylla (Idaho State)
Women’s Field Athlete of the Week – Carly Watts (Northern Arizona)
Tossing a personal best in the women’s shot put, Northern Arizona’s Carly Watts has been named Women’s Field Athlete of the Week.
With a mark of 15.34 meters, Watts shot to the top of the Big Sky rankings in the shot put, and currently sits 47
th in the entire NCAA for the event.
Watts was competing at the Friday Night Axe’em Open in Flagstaff.
Others Nominated: Jaree Mane (Montana), Katrina Terry (Eastern Washington), Elena Carter (Montana State), Hannah Ringel (Idaho), Destinee Rose-Haas (Idaho State)
Men’s Field Athlete of the Week – Colby Wilson (Montana State)
For the second time this season, Montana State’s Colby Wilson cleared 5.20 in the pole vault, meaning he has been named Big Sky Field Athlete of the Week for the second time this season as well.
Wilson’s 5.20 at the Bobcat Challenge matched his career-best clear he hit at the bobcat Preview. Both he and Camarena are two-time recipients of the award this season already.
Wilson sits on top of the Big Sky leaderboard for the event and ranks 16
th nationally.
Others Nominated: Jordan Gloden (Portland State), William Beaudry (Northern Arizona), Andrew Lehner (Sacramento State), Tyler Thimsen (Northern Colorado), Bobby Say (Eastern Washington), Zachary Ninus (Idaho), Zack Ramos (Idaho State)
Previous Winners
December 6, 2021
W. Track - Katie Camarena (PSU)
M. Track - Abdihamid Nur (NAU)
W. Field - Lucy Corbett (MSU)
M. Field - Colby Wilson (MSU)