Montana State University
MSU DOUBLE DUAL II
Ready to (double) Dual
2/13/2014 9:48:00 PM | Men's Track and Field, Women's Track and Field, Track & Field
Bobcats host Montana and Weber State in second home meet head-to-head battle
Montana State Track and Field is set to host the MSU Double Dual on Friday, Feb. 14, in Worthington Arena. The meet marks the second scored double dual of 2014, as the Bobcats hosted Montana and Idaho State back on Jan. 24. This time around, rival Montana will compete again along with Weber State in the highly anticipated meet.
With just two weekends remaining to qualifying for the Big Sky Championships, this meet not only puts bragging rights on the line, but also the second to last opportunity for the Bobcats to earn their stripes for the league meet.
Headed into the meet, Montana State boasts 35 Big Sky marks between the men and the women in addition to 16 more performances ranking among the top-16 in each event, providing a chance for those to qualify. The women are on par with 12 athletes set for Pocatello, Idaho on Feb. 27, as they had just one year ago at this time. The men have a bit more work cut out for them with 16 already having punched their tickets in 2013, compared to 11 to date this season.
"I say this every year and increase my emphasis each week, we're getting down to the wire," head coach Dale Kennedy said. "This meet matters in a lot of different ways, we need to work together for the team, but also think about our individual performances and the Big Sky meet."
In the Big Sky Conference Preseason Poll, MSU men were voted to finish fourth, while Weber was selected second and Montana, seventh. The Bobcat women were picked fifth in preseason, with the Grizzlies right on their heels in sixth, while Weber comes into the meet like their male counterpart with the highest rank, in third.Regardless, the meet should bring out all the teams' competitive edges giving the more individualized sport, an exciting team approach.
In addition to the MSU Double Dual, a small group of Bobcats will make the trek to Seattle to compete in the elite Husky Classic, hosted by Washington. Seth Garbett (3,000m), Jacob Kirk (Mile), Trevor Polson (3,000m), Matt Tex (800m) and Chris Wilson (60m, 200m) will rep the Blue & Gold. They'll all have a chance to compete against some of the best athletes in the nation, including several impressive Pac-12 programs.
The meet is slated for a 4:30 p.m. with both track and field events commencing. In addition to the regular line-up of events, including the Little Bobcat 50m Dash, a Master's Mile, as well as an Alumni Mile will also take place following the short sprints.
