Underclassmen break track and field records. What's next?

A pair of underclassmen stole the show for the Bobcats on Friday, March 22, smashing two MSU track and field records. Freshman Sydney Brewster, who competes in the shot put, and sophomore Pat Vialva, who competes in the javelin, highlighted the team’s season opener in Missoula. As the outdoor track and field season shifts into gear, there's some worthwhile speculation as to who could follow in their footsteps and break another Bobcat record.

Noah Barbery, a sophomore sprinter for men’s track and field, shows some real potential. Barbery qualified for the 200m finals last year, running a time of 21.73 seconds and earning 7th place in the Big Sky Conference outdoor championships. This time was only 0.37 seconds slower than the MSU record of 21.36 seconds. At the same meet, Barbery was also a member of a 4x100 relay team that got 5th place and earned the 2nd best time in MSU history, 41.07 seconds.   

Junior Will Anderson, also a sprinter, holds an impressive personal best for the 400m sprint, clocking in at 47.02 seconds at the 2022 Big Sky Conference outdoor championships. This time is only 0.52 seconds slower than the MSU record, 46.50 seconds. Although Anderson was not able to get within less than two seconds of his personal record last season, there's still a possibility that he will pull it off this season.

Some prospects on the women's team are just as promising. Sophomore Peyton Garrison has a personal record of 24.46 seconds in the 200m race, which is less than half a second slower than the MSU record, which is 23.99 seconds. Her 400m time is also impressive, clocking in at 54.71 seconds, creeping up on the school record of 53.05 seconds. 

Caroline Hawkes, a sophomore sprinter for the women's track and field team, holds even more impressive times. Her 400m best is 53.58 seconds, and her 200m best is a remarkable 24.40 seconds. Both girls appear to have a chance at breaking one of the sprinting records this year.

Elena Carter, a graduate student at MSU and school record holder for women’s 100m hurdles, is also remarkably close to breaking the women's record for long jump. Carter can jump an incredible 20 feet and 1.5 inches, only 7.5 inches shy of the MSU women’s record, 20 feet and 9 inches.

Lastly, senior Maisee Brown is extremely close to breaking the MSU ladies' pole vault record. This past Feb., as the indoor track Big Sky Turner, Brown vaulted 13 feet and 9.25 inches. This was only 5.25 inches short of the MSU record, 14 feet and 2.5 inches.

It's difficult to predict how things will pan out for this outdoor track season, but with a number of promising athletes on the roster, there's no doubt that this spring will be interesting. 

To keep up with MSU’s track and field team, visit msubobcats.com.