Bobcat tracksters shine in conference championships

MSU hosted the 2022 Big Sky Indoor Track and Field Championships last weekend as athletes from across the region competed for conference titles. Held over the course of three days in Worthington Arena, Feb. 25-27, the conference championship meet provided athletes a final opportunity to set improved marks and qualify for the NCAA Indoor National Championship meet in March.

MSU’s track and field athletes earned the Bobcats third place in the men’s division and fourth in the women’s division for the overall team competition. Northern Arizona captured the team titles in both the men’s and women’s divisions.

Among the Cats’ standout performers was Lucy Corbett, who claimed her third consecutive Big Sky Conference title in the women’s high jump. Corbett broke the all-time conference record as she cleared 6’ 2.25”. Corbett currently ranks second nationally in the high jump, earning her a spot at the indoor national championship meet in March. She was named the meet’s top female field events athlete.

MSU’s Camilla Noe also had an outstanding weekend, earning silver in both the women’s 3,000-meter and 5,000-meter runs.

One of the most impressive outings for any Bobcat took place in the men’s pole vault. MSU’s Colby Wilson kept his powder dry until the bar was raised over 5 meters, clearing the 5.06 mark with ease. “It’s always important to get the first one under the belt,” Wilson said. “My nerves were definitely pretty high.” By the time Wilson made his first jump, only four of the 17 competitors in the event remained. Wilson executed flawlessly at 5.16 and 5.26 meters to win gold without missing a single jump. Once the Big Sky title was locked up, Wilson took three attempts at 5.46 meters, which would have been a personal best but came up short. “I definitely felt confident that I could make (5.46),” Wilson said. “I was really amped up and felt really good but ended up jumping a little bit too aggressively and blew through the poles.” Wilson ranks 19th nationally in the pole vault.

In the men’s running events, Drake Schneider and Duncan Hamilton led the way for the Cats. Schneider sprinted to silver in the 200-meter dash before taking gold as part of the Bobcats’ 4x400 meter relay squad. Schneider also won the men’s 400-meter dash, solidifying his dominance at that distance. Hamilton competed in the mile, distance medley and 300-meter run, earning silver in the mile and the distance medley. “It’s amazing having so many fans here and so much support,” Hamilton said of competing in Worthington Arena. “You couldn’t ask for a better venue.” 

The Big Sky Championship meet marks the end of the indoor track and field season for all except those who earned spots at the National Championships in Birmingham, Alabama on Friday, March 11, and Saturday, March 12. Corbett qualified in the high jump while Hamilton qualified in the 3,000-meter run. MSU track and field athletes will now turn their focus to the upcoming outdoor season which will kick off in Riverside, California, on March 18.