FARMINGTON, Utah (Jan. 26, 2026) – The Big Sky Conference announced its Player of the Week honors, presented by
JAMBAR, with men's indoor track & field, women's indoor track & field, men's basketball, women's basketball, men's tennis and women's tennis all in action.
Big Sky Indoor Track & Field Athletes of the Week (January 26, 2026)
Men's Track Athlete of the Week: Sam Ells, Montana State (Sr., Kalispell, Mont.)
With a victory in the men’s mile at the Bobcat Challenge, Montana State’s Sam Ells has been named Men’s Track Athlete of the Week. Ells ran an altitude converted 3:58.01 on his home track to set the third-fastest time in the Big Sky so far this season. That time also puts him 27
th nationally.
Others Nominated for Men's Track Athlete of the Week
Griffen Parsells (UI), Sunny Gunn (ISU), Karsen Beitz (UM), Daniel Beckford (UNC), Zach Payne (PSU)
Men's Field Athlete of the Week: Shawn Twumasi Ampofo, Idaho (Sr., Chelmsford, United Kingdom)
Idaho’s Shawn Twumasi Ampofo is the Big Sky Men’s Field Athlete of the Week following a strong performance in the triple jump on his home turf. With a leap of 15.84m (51’ 11.75”) he set the best mark in the Big Sky Conference so far this season and shot up the national leaderboard to No. 16 in the NCAA.
Others Nominated for Men's Field Athlete of the Week
Alex Blecha (EWU), Sam Henderson (UM), Destiny Nkeonye (MSU), Tyler Rogers (UNC)
Women's Track Athlete of the Week: Montana State 4x400 Relay Team
After breaking the Montana State school record in the women’s 4x400-meter relay, the team comprised of Tilde Bjerager, Caroline Hawkes, Peyton Garrison, and Giulia Gandolfi has been named Women’s Track Athlete of the Week. They clocked an altitude adjusted time of 3:36.91 to win the event at the Bobcat Challenge and set a new school record by 1.5 seconds. The quartet is ranked 25th in the NCAA this season thanks to their performance, which marked their season debut in the event.
Others Nominated for Women's Track Athlete of the Week
Diana Fernandez (EWU), Rhyan Madden (UI), Callie Wilson (UM), Alexia Austin (UNC), Irina Lopez (PSU)
Women's Field Athlete of the Week: Hailey Coey, Montana State (Sr., Billings, Mont.)
Breaking her own Montana State and Big Sky record in the women’s long jump has earned Bobcat Hailey Coey Women’s Field Athlete of the Week honors. She jumped 6.47m (21’ 2.75”) at the Bobcat Challenge over the weekend, which puts her No. 5 in the NCAA to this point of the season. She also set a new school record in the women’s triple jump with a mark of 12.75m (41’ 10”).
Others Nominated for Women's Field Athlete of the Week
Suzi Woodall (EWU), Cami Cvitkovich (UI), Megan Moore (ISU), Brooke Stayner (UM), Camaria Corder (UNC)
Big Sky Women's Basketball Player of the Week (Jan. 27, 2026)
TBA
Big Sky Men's Basketball Player of the Week (Jan. 27, 2026)
TBA
Big Sky Men's Tennis Player of the Week (Jan. 28, 2026)
TBA
Big Sky Women's Tennis Player of the Week (Jan. 28, 2026)
TBA
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