MSU's Perrin wins 2nd Big Sky 10,000 title

GREELEY, Colo. — Ben Perrin earned a big share of Montana State Bobcat track and field history Friday, and he wasn’t the only one.

Senior Duncan Hamilton from Bozeman High etched his name in the history books by winning his fourth Big Sky Conference 3,000 meter steeplechase championship, the first man to do so in league history.

Junior Camila Noe, formerly a high school teammate of Hamilton’s, won her first Big Sky outdoor title by capturing the women’s 10,000, running away from the field in the final 600 meters.

All Perrin, a Flathead High graduate, did was become the third Bobcat to win two Big Sky 10,000 meter titles, joining Eureka’s Shannon Butler (1990-91) and {;aoms Casey Jermyn (2003, 2005).

“It was an exciting day all around,” said MSU coach Lyle Weese, “but especially for the distance runners. They did some amazing things.”

Montana State’s men’s and women’s teams each stand in third place entering the meet’s final day of competition. Hamilton’s steeplechase win topped the list, but even that came with an eye toward helping a teammate.

“All four guys we had entered went out aggressively,” Weese said of Hamilton, Rob McManus, Levi Taylor and Owen Smith. “They got some separation and (Hamilton, McManus and Taylor) were able to hold on and finish 1-2-3, and Owen finished strong, too.”

There was an undercurrent, though, to the fast start. “Levi Taylor is one of the best steeplechase runners in the country,” Weese said. “He finished ninth (at the NCAA Championships) last year. But he didn’t have a time that would qualify him for the West Regionals this year, so one of the biggest reasons we were so aggressive was to get him that mark. Duncan and Rob did a great job leading, they got some separation and stayed aggressive, and (Taylor) did it. He got his mark.”

Noe experienced a bit of déjà vu on Friday, winning her second Big Sky title in Greeley, Colorado. Her first came nearly five years ago in terrible weather at the Big Sky Cross Country Championships, and on Friday she battled winds up to 30 miles per hour in claiming her first 10,000 meter title.

Northern Arizona’s Meagan Van Pelt led during the middle portion of the race, with Noe close behind. “It seemed like she wanted to go,” Weese said. “But she showed great patience.”

When Noe went to the lead with about 600 meters remaining, she was gone.

In the day’s final race, Perrin followed Noe’s script. He ran with NAU’s Santiago Prosser and teammate Matthew Richtman for most of the race, but with about 600 meters remaining he passed Prosser as the two were lapping a University of Montana runner and accelerated to a commanding lead. He won the race going away.

“Ben finishes really strong in races, so when he’s close toward the end that’s a really good sign for him,” Weese said. “Matt Richtman was just outside the time to get into the West Regonals so they were working together. Matt didn’t quite get his mark, but Ben did a great job. He’s incredibly fit right now, and very prepared.”

Richtman finished third.

Several other Bobcats scored team points on Friday. Matt Furdyk finished fifth and Elijah Jackman eighth in the men’s hammer throw, Jordan Fink placed fourth in the women’s shot put and Carter Slade finished eighth in the men’s discus.

Hailey Coey was sixth and Glacier High product Taylor Brisendine eighth in the women’s long jump. Additionally, Grace Gilbreth finished third in the women’s steeplechase.

Field events begin at 9:30 am on Saturday, with track events starting at 2 p.m.