Bobcats’ record running season

The MSU track and field team is off to the races this weekend as it heads to the Washington State Open and Invitational in Spokane. After shattering many records at the Bobcat Performance Meet on Friday, Jan. 21, the Bobcats aim even higher this weekend to continue their record-breaking season. 

At the meet, Elena Carter, a junior from Helena, clocked in a time of 8.50 seconds in the 60 meter hurdles tying a school record first set in 2018 by Amanda Jaynes. Following Carter, sophomore Macy White finished her sprinting event with a time of 7.50, beating the school record previously set by Tru Roginske in 2019. Finally, Duncan Hamilton, who is only the fourth Bobcat to run a sub-four-minute mile, broke the school record for his individual run and beat Shannon Butler’s record from 1991. Hamilton had one of the best individual days in recent memory. He beat the 2002 facility record — previously set by an athlete from Weber State — by six seconds with an adjusted for altitude and track size time of 7:48.20. Ben Perrin, Colby Wilson, Ian Fosdick, Taylor Brisendine, Maisee Brown and Anna Trudnowski also recorded some of their best times in the meet. 

In an interview with the Exponent prior to his journey to the NCAA Cross Country Championships last year, Hamilton said he had one specific hope for Montana State. “I really want Montana State to be at a national level,” he said. 

After many strong performances, MSU Athletics announced the men’s track and field team is ranked one of the highest teams in the nation. MSU Athletics announced the Bobcats were ranked  27th overall in the nation by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

After their show stopping performance, the Bobcat track and field team is heading west to Washington, where it will compete in the State Open this Friday, Feb. 4, and the invitational Saturday, Feb. 5, aiming to continue the record breaking start to the season.