In a remarkable showcase of athletic talent, the Montana Grizzlies’ track and field teams achieved significant milestones at the Big Sky Championship held in Sacramento, California. Erin Wilde continued her dominance in the high jump, securing her fifth consecutive title, while teammate Tara Ohlwiler made history by completing a rare sprint double.
Both the men’s and women’s teams collectively surpassed the century mark for the first time since 2002, with the men scoring 107 points and the women finishing with exactly 100 points. This performance marked a notable ascent for the men’s team, which had not reached this scoring level since 2007, while the women’s team last scored 100 points in 2017, both achieving a third-place finish in the conference meet.
Individual Accolades
Braden Ankeny earned the title of Big Sky Freshman of the Year after excelling in multiple events, contributing to his team’s overall success with three All-Conference performances and a fourth-place finish in the 4×100-meter relay.
“I could not be more proud of both of these teams,” said head coach Doug Fraley. “We knew coming in that we had a chance… We were able to do that, so kudos to the kids and kudos to my assistants for getting these kids prepared.”
Women’s Team Performance
The women’s squad entered the competition as underdogs, predicted to finish fourth, yet they outperformed expectations and edged out Sacramento State by a narrow margin, finishing with a score of 100-97.
A standout performer was Tara Ohlwiler, who demonstrated exceptional skill and determination. Despite a challenging start in the relay event, she quickly rebounded to dominate both the 100-meter and 200-meter sprints. Ohlwiler clocked in at a noteworthy 11.72 seconds in the 100m, making her the first Grizzly woman to win this event since 1987. In the 200m final, she achieved a personal best of 23.67 seconds, falling just shy of the school record.
“The mindset was to be mentally strong… You need to try a little bit harder than everybody else and that’s what’s going to make a win,” Ohlwiler remarked.
Men’s Team Highlights
On the men’s side, Braden Ankeny emerged as a key performer. Initially only slated for the 200m, he successfully advocated to compete in the 400m as well, finishing second in both events. His strong finishes earned him recognition as an outstanding newcomer to the program.
“It feels great… I think I can turn these three silvers into three golds next year,” Ankeny expressed, showcasing his competitive spirit.
Field Events Shine
In addition to the track events, the field performances contributed significantly to team success. Erin Wilde faced considerable pressure but triumphed with a performance that included clearing 5-8.75 feet to clinch her fifth consecutive Big Sky title in the high jump. She is the first female Grizzly to achieve such a feat in outdoor championships since Loni Perkins-Judisch.
“It feels really good, I’m super happy about it… but I also know that there are definitely girls out there that want to beat me,” Wilde noted.
Record-Breaking Performances
Carson Weeden set a new school record in the men’s pole vault, clearing 17-4.5 feet. His efforts nearly led to an upset against renowned competitor Colby Wilson, highlighting his consistent performance throughout the season. “To break the school record on the biggest stage… a great performance from a great kid,” Fraley remarked.
Montana also saw individual accolades with Jayel Dovichak claiming a podium finish in the 100-meter hurdles and Whitney Morrison achieving a personal best in the triple jump, further bolstering team points.
Relay Results
The relays also proved fruitful, with the women’s 4×400-meter team finishing third and the men’s team earning the runner-up position. “The number of point scorers and podium finishes that we had were way up at this meet… Both teams made Griz Nation very proud this weekend,” Fraley concluded, reflecting on the overall strong performances.
