May 12, 2007

Pocatello, ID - For the first time in Idaho State history the ISU women took first place in a Big Sky track and field championship. Idaho State finished above Weber State by a score of 140.5 to 133. Northern Arizona took third place with 122 points.

"It is a dream come true" said Idaho State head coach Dave Nielson. Idaho State had 25 athletes compete in the Big Sky Championships that competed in multiple events. Commenting on Idaho State's first title for the women in track and field Nielson said "it is long over due and it is a real treat."

Throughout the entire meet Idaho State and Weber State battled back and forth in the point standings. Keeping Weber State in the battle was Lindsay Anderson winning three gold medals for the Wildcats. Anderson finished in first place in the 3000 meter steeple chase, the 10,000 meter run, and the 1500 meter run. Anderson also received the Big Sky Track Athlete of the Meet award for her performance.

Montana State's Kim Berg took home the Big Sky Field Athlete of the Meet award for her performance in the women's javelin throw. Berg took first with a toss of 162' 4".

Saturday's field events began with the women's hammer throw. Ashley Jones of Montana State took first place with a throw of 195' even. Taking first place in the triple jump from Northern Arizona was Monique Young with a distance of 41'1". Finishing up the women's field events for the day was Bonnie Millard of Eastern Washington taking first place in the discuss throw. Millard had a throw of 155' to take home the gold.

Sacramento State's Nancy Searcy took home the gold medal in the 100 meter hurdles with a time of 13.87 nearly a second ahead of her next closest competitor. Loni Perkins-Judisch of the University of Montana finished ahead of the pack in the 400 meter dash to take home the gold. Perkins-Judisch finished with a time of 53.89. In the 100 meter dash Northern Arizona's Taneisha Wright finished with a time of 11.58 to take home the gold medal.

Taking home Idaho State's only first place finish in the individual track events on Saturday was Melissa McLimore in the 800 meter run. McLimore ran a time of 2:10.05 to help the Bengals to their championship trophy.

In the 400 meter hurdles Sacramento State's Melissa Tracy finished with the top time of 1:00.44 to finish in first place. In the 200 meter dash Taneisha Wright of Northern Arizona took home here second gold medal of the day with a time of 24.10.

Idaho State added points to their championship run with a first place finish in the 4X100 meter relay. Idaho State finished with a time of 46.11. In the 4X400 meter relay Northern Arizona finished strong to take the gold with a time of 3:45.37.

For full results of the Big Sky Outdoor Championships visit the Big Sky Championship information website.

Big Sky Conference Championship Information Website

Women's Big Sky Conference Championship Standings (FINAL)
						Team Points
Idaho State University Bengals		        140.5
Weber State University Wildcats		        133.0
Northern Arizona University Lumberjacks	        122.0
Portland State University Vikings		109.5
Sacramento State Hornets			102.0
Montana State University Bobcats		72.0
Eastern Washington University Eagles	        71.0
University of Montana Grizzlies		        68.0