FARMINGTON, Utah (January 24, 2022) – Following another impressive weekend around the Big Sky Conference, the league office has announced its four weekly indoor track and field awards.
Men’s Track Athlete of the Week – Nico Young, Northern Arizona
Running the fastest time in Big Sky Conference history following altitude conversions, Northern Arizona’s Nico Young has been named Men’s Track Athlete of the Week with a 3:54.07 in the men’s mile at the Lumberjack Team Challenge.
Young’s mark pushed him ahead of Christian Soratos’ mark of 3:55.27, which was set in 2015 for Montana State. The time currently ranks No. 1 in the NCAA.
He is a reigning All-American on the cross country circuit and has positioned himself well to challenge for the individual national championship in the event.
With the time being a Big Sky record, it was also a NAU school record.
Others Nominated: Cam McChesney (Portland State), Collin Dylla (Idaho State), Duncan Hamilton (Montana State), Daniel Gaik (Eastern Washington) Khalil Forehand (Idaho), Cyrus Rindlisbacher (Weber State)
Women’s Track Athlete of the Week – Alyssa Colbert, Northern Arizona
Clocking the fastest women’s 60-meter dash time in the league this season, NAU’s Alyssa Colbert has been named Women’s Track Athlete of the Week.
Colbert’s time of 7.46 after altitude conversation puts her in at the top of the league after hitting the mark in her home arena.
Others Nominated: LaTrouchka Duke (Sacramento State), Maya Irving (Portland State), Katie Weedn (Idaho State), Elena Carter (Montana State), Regina Mpigachai (Northern Colorado), Katie Petsch (Eastern Washington), Olivia Martin (Idaho)
Men’s Field Athlete of the Week – Grady Leonard, Idaho
Propelling himself to the top of the Big Sky Conference in both the shot put and the weight throw at home, Idaho’s Grady Leonard has been named Men’s Field Athlete of the Week.
Leonard hit an 18.28m in the shot put and a 21.22m in the weight throw to move to the top of both lists at the Lauren McCluskey Memorial Open in Moscow, Idaho. His mark in the weight throw is the 4
th best in Big Sky history.
Nationally, he is ranked 14
th in the men’s weight throw and 38
th in the shot put.
Others Nominated: Jordan Gloden (Portland State), Jake Arnold (Northern Arizona), Zack Ramos (Idaho State), Colby Wilson (Montana State), Evan Stork (Sacramento State), Bobby Say (Eastern Washington), Lachlan Burns (Weber State)
Women’s Field Athlete of the Week – Elizabeth White, Southern Utah
Breaking the Southern Utah school record in the long jump, and skying to the top of the Big Sky standings, Thunderbird Elizabeth White has been named Women’s Field Athlete of the Week.
White jumped a 6.04m at the Lumberjack Team Challenge in Flagstaff.
That mark puts her 32
nd nationally.
Others Nominated: Shantel Nnaji (SAC), Jenna Figueroa (Northern Arizona), Kylee Dimick (Idaho State), Katrina Terry (Eastern Washington), Hannah Ringel (Idaho)
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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)
January 17, 2022
W. Track - Katie Camarena (PSU)
M. Track - Duncan Hamilton (MSU)
W. Field - Carly Watts (NAU
M. Field - Colby Wilson (MSU)