FARMINGTON, Utah (Dec. 11, 2023) – For the first time this season the Big Sky Conference office has announced its Indoor Track & Field Athlete of the Week awards.
Track & Field Athlete of the Week is awarded each week during the regular season that four or more teams compete.
Men’s Track Athlete of the Week – Ben Perrin, Montana State
Breaking both Montana State’s school and facility record, Bobcat Ben Perrin is the Big Sky’s Men’s Track Athlete of the Week.
Perrin crossed the line in 13:59.80 flat, which converts to a 13:29.16 at altitude. The mark broke Duncan Hamilton's time from last year and broke the Worthington Arena record last set in 2018. Perrin's time is the 12th-fastest in the country this year.
Others Nominated: Kristian Phennicie (EWU), Henry Ballinger (UM), Alex Wheeler (WSU)
Men’s Field Athlete of the Week – Xakai Harry, Weber State
With the best long jump in the Big Sky so far this season, Weber State’s Xakai Harry is the league’s Men’s Field Athlete of the Week.
Harry had a jump of 7.55 meters at the BYU December Invite.
Others Nominated: Zach Klobutcher (EWU), Jason Upton (UM), Elijah Jackman (MSU)
Women’s Track Athlete of the Week – Madelyn Knight, Eastern Washington
Eastern Washington’s Madelyn Knight had a great start to her 2023-24 track campaign, finishing 2nd in the 60-meter hurdles at the Spokane Invitational with a time of 8.56, best in the conference this season and a new personal best for the senior team captain.
This has resulted in her earning Women’s Track Athlete of the Week honors.
The mark pushed Knight up to 2nd in EWU indoor history, 0.05 seconds behind Seville Broussard's mark from 1999.
Others Nominated: Wendira Moss (UNC), Tara Ohlwiler (UM), Jaeden Wolff (MSU), Payge Walz (WSU)
Women’s Field Athlete of the Week – Hailey Coey, Montana State
Rounding out the group, Montana State’s Hailey Coey is the league’s Women’s Field Athlete of the Week.
Coey dominated both the long and triple jump at the Bobcat PReview in Bozeman on Thursday, winning both events handily. Later in the evening in the triple, Coeym was good for the fourth-best mark in program history. Later in the evening in the triple, Coey recorded a mark of 12.00m, the third-best mark in program history.
Others Nominated: Egypt “Caitlin” Simmons (EWU), Ariel Clark (UM), Dawson Rothenbuhler (WSU)
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