FARMINGTON, Utah (May 2, 2022) – A pair of impressive performances from a Montana State Bobcat duo highlights this week’s Big Sky Conference Track & Field Athletes of the Week awards, the league office announced on Monday.
Men's Track Athlete of the Week – Duncan Hamilton, Montana State
Competing at the Payton Jordan Invitational over the weekend, Duncan Hamilton posted not only one of the best marks in the NCAA this year, but the entire world and has been named Men’s Track Athlete of the Week for his efforts.
Hamilton finished the men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase in a time of 8:26.44, which puts him No. 2 in the NCAA for the event and rankings him No. 14 in the world.
Additionally, the mark qualified Hamilton for the USA Track and Field Championships in June.
He now leads the Big Sky in both the steeplechase and the 5K. This is his second Athlete of the Week award this outdoor campaign.
Others nominated: Chase Lovercheck (Portland State), Blaize Holland (Sacramento State), Lorenz Herrmann (Idaho), Zachary Cox (Idaho State), Nelson Douglas (Southern Utah), Paul Johnstone (Montana), Daniel Gaik (Eastern Washington), Christian Allen (Weber State)
Women's Field of the Week – Lucy Corbett, Montana State
Furthering her lead this season in the Big Sky Conference for the women’s high jump, Montana State’s Lucy Corbett has been named Women’s Field Athlete of the Week.
She improved on her season-best, clearing a 1.87m (6’ 1 ½”) at the Bengal Invitational, which puts her No. 5 in the NCAA to this point of the season.
Others nominated: Erin Whelan (Sacramento State), Hannah Ringel (Idaho), Brianna Hagler (Idaho State), Elizabeth White (Southern Utah), Tanessa Morris (Montana), Vernice Keyes (Eastern Washington), Kapua Pulotu (Weber State)
Men's Field of the Week – Grady Leonard, Idaho
Moving to the top of the men’s shot put in the league, Idaho’s Grady Leonard has been named Men’s Field Athlete of the Week.
At the 2022 Desert Heat Classic, Leonard threw an 18.61m (61’ ¾”) to move into the Big Sky Conference lead and sit No. 38 in the NCAA to this point of the year.
Others nominated: Evan Stork (Sacramento State), Colby Wilson (Montana State), Zack Ramos (Idaho State), Brent Yeakey (Montana), Alex Bishop (Eastern Washington), Jed Smith (Weber State)
Women's Track Athlete of the Week – Emily Barnes-Sterzer, Weber State
Running the best women’s 400-meter hurdle time in the Big Sky Conference this season, Weber State’s Emily Barnes-Sterzer has been named Women’s Track Athlete of the Week.
This is her second week in a row being honored by the league office, after earning the title for both track and field last week.
This moved her into No. 28 in the NCAA West Region.
Others nominated: Maya Irving (Portland State),Morgan Evans (Montana State), Maya Kobylanski (Idaho), Kyndal Martin (Idaho State), Emma Normand (Montana), Madisan DeBos (Southern Utah), Lilly Fetzer (Eastern Washington)
Follow Us
Follow the Big Sky Conference (@BigSkyConf) on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok for all the latest news around the league and use the hashtag #ExperienceElevated.
Previous Winners
March 21, 2022
W. Track – Elise Stearns, Northern Arizona
W. Field – Lucy Corbett, Montana State
M. Track – Duncan Hamilton, Montana State
M. Field – Evan Stork, Sacramento State
March 28, 2022
W. Track – Elena Carter, Montana State
W. Field – Maggie Nelson, Eastern Washington
M. Track – Drake Schneider, Montana State
M. Field – Evan Todd, Montana
April 4, 2022
W. Track – Jessa Hanson, Northern Arizona
W. Field – Tanessa Morris, Montana
M. Track – Abdihamid Nur, Northern Arizona
M. Field – Grady Leonard, Idaho
April 11, 2022
W. Track – Melanie Loff, Northern Arizona
W. Field – Elizabeth White, Southern Utah
M. Track – Jerome Campbell, Northern Colorado / Trenton Givens, Northern Arizona
M. Field – Evan Stork, Sacramento State
April 18, 2022
W. Track – Camila Noe, Montana State
W. Field – Hannah Ringel, Idaho
M. Track – Abdihamid Nur, Northern Arizona
M. Field – Colby Wilson, Montana State
April 25, 2022
W. Track – Emily Barnes Sterzer, Weber State
W. Field – Emily Barnes Sterzer, Weber State
M. Track – Chase Lovercheck, Portland State
M. Field – Lachlan Burns, Weber State