7 Bobcats prepare to represent MSU in NCAA Track & Field National Championships

BOZEMAN, Mont. — Montana State University track and field is getting ready for the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon.

The championships run Wednesday through Saturday. MSU set a program record with seven Bobcats competing in four events, which is tied for third most in program history.

“It was so fun to see the men’s program to continue to move forward and then it was really exciting to see our women’s team really take a step forward,” MSU head coach Lyle Weese said about his team’s progress this season.

Senior Rob McManus is making his third straight nationals appearance in the 3000m steeplechase. McManus joins Levi Taylor (2022-24 in steeplechase), Duncan Hamilton (2021-23 in steeplechase) and Nick Lam (2007-09 in javelin) as the only Bobcats to reach the championship meet three straight times.

“The national meet is something that we really strive for, and so it’s just really special to make it back again, and I caught myself very lucky to get back for a third year in a row,” McManus said.

Sophomore Harvey Cramb becomes the fourth MSU man to compete in the 1500m in nationals and first since Cristian Soratos in 2015. The Brisbane, Australia, native took fourth in his heat at the NCAA West First Round after winning the Big Sky Championship in the 1500m and second in the 800m.

“It’s such an honor, and to do it my sophomore year is a great opportunity, and to be able to put your name with some of the best in the country is awesome,” Cramb said.

Junior Hailey Coey was the first Bobcat at regionals to punch a ticket to Eugene. The Billings West alum is the only field athlete for Montana State as she becomes the first ever Bobcat to compete in nationals in long jump.

“It’s super cool. I’m really glad that I’m able to do it and be the first in school history again,” Coey said on representing the Treasure State. “I’m really glad that it’s someone from Montana that’s able to represent Montana State.”

MSU is also participating in another event for the first time at nationals. The 4x400m relay team of Corvallis native and freshman Olivia Lewis, junior Peyton Garrison, junior Giulia Gandolfi and junior Caroline Hawkes becomes the first Bobcat relay team to compete in the championships.

“We honestly didn’t know that we were the first team to make it,” Garrison said on the relay team reaching nationals. “Some of the pictures that were shown, we were jumping in excitement and we’re just so excited.”

We will have more on the MSU athletes and their progress at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships through the next week.