GREELEY, Colo. (May 9, 2023) – For the first time since 2016, the Big Sky Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships will be held in Greeley, Colorado, as the University of Northern Colorado plays host to the 2023 edition starting on Wednesday and wrapping up on Saturday evening.
Along with team titles on the line, student-athletes will also be competing for the right to advance to NCAA West Prelims with the hope of moving on to the NCAA National Championships.
The meet will stream live all week and through the weekend on ESPN+.
Live results are
available here.
Lumberjack Three-peat?
Both Northern Arizona’s men and women will be looking for a three-peat when competition begins in Greeley, as both sides claimed the titles in both 2021 and 2022.
On the men’s side, NAU has claimed three of the previous four available titles with the only other victory going to former Big Sky member Southern Utah in 2019.
NAU’s men will be seeking their 25
th outdoor Big Sky Conference title in school history.
On the women’s side, the ‘Jacks have won five of the previous six titles available, with the only breakup coming at the hands of Sacramento State when they claimed the title in 2019.
NAU’s women have eyes on their 14
th Big Sky title.
They will also be going for the sweep of the 2022-23 athletic calendar on both sides, as they claimed both cross country and indoor titles.
Last Time In Greeley
When Northern Colorado last hosted in 2016, the result was a Lumberjack sweep as their men and women both claimed the title in 2016.
The top three teams on the men’s side were Northern Arizona (187), Montana (89.5) and Southern Utah (84).
On the women’s side, the ‘Jacks (120) were followed by Sacramento State (96) and Eastern Washington (94.5).
Dunkin’ On The Competition
Montana State’s Duncan Hamilton is making sure he ends his career as a Bobcat in style, as the senior has put up some of the top marks in the entire country.
He currently owns the best 3K Steeplechase time in the entire country, running a 8:25.17 at the EKU Twilight in April, and just this past weekend he ran the third-best 1,500-meter time in the country at home with an altitude adjusted 3:36.72.
In the 5K, he also ranks 15
th nationally.
Rank ‘Em
In the latest Conference TFRI provided by the United State Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association, the Lumberjacks are the projected favorites for both titles but with several teams nipping at their heels.
In the men’s rankings, NAU sits No. 1 with Montana State closely behind at No. 3, followed by Weber State at No. 4.
Idaho State and Idaho round out the men’s rankings respectively.
The women’s rankings are a very similar order, with NAU sitting at No. 1 followed by Montana State (No. 2), Weber State (No. 3) and Idaho State (No. 4). The biggest changes when comparing the two genders is that Sacramento State is the No. 5 ranked team on the women’s side.
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