Four More Bobcats Set for Fall
7/16/2014 2:44:00 PM | Men's Cross Country, Men's Track and Field, Women's Cross Country, Women's Track and Field, Cross Country, Track & Field
Track and Field/Cross Country get more commitments
Montana State Track and Field and Cross Country announced the commitment of four more student-athletes to continue their career as Bobcats.
Austin Decker, a transfer from Hartnell College (California), brings serious experience as a pole vaulter. During his time at Hartnell, he was an All-American in both 2013 and 2014 in the event, as well as two-time state champion and now holds the school record in the event. In addition to his record of 16-06.75 (5.05m), he was named his team's MVP in sprints jumps and hurdles. Off the runway, he has earned Dean's List and All-Academic honors.
Decker is a 2012 graduate of North Monterey County High School and was a four-time letter winner in track and field for the Condors.
"Austin will come here and hopefully make an immediate impact," said assistant coach Tom Eitel
Jory Fisher comes to Montana State as a true freshman and a 2014 graduate of White Sulphur Springs High School in White Sulphur Springs, Montana. For the Hornets, he earned four letters each in football and track and field. On the track, he was the Class C State Champion in the 800 in both his junior and senior seasons, and earned the bronze in the event as a sophomore. He holds the school record in both the 800 and 400 and set several meet records throughout his prep career.
As a football player for the Hornets, he played in the Montana East West Shrine Game and finished his career as a First Team All-State selection.
In addition to his track and field and football success, Fisher has also been a major player in the classroom. He is a four-time All-State Academic honoree in both sports, honor roll and National Honor Society member and a member of the WSSHS Academic Challenge team.
"Jory's high school career puts him in a great position to make the transition to college," said head coach Dale Kennedy. He's already familiar with the balance of academics and athletics and is ready to make that jump as a Bobcat student-athlete."
Layne Oliver, a product of nearby Three Forks, Montana, will join the distance crew for Bobcat Track and Field and Cross Country. She earned four letters in cross country, two in basketball and one in track for the Wolves.
A four-time team captain for cross country, she placed third in the Class B State Championships as a junior. At the 2014 Class B meet, she placed fourth in the 800, fifth in the 1,600 and sixth in the 3,200 run.
In the classroom, she is a multiple-time all-academic award winner in cross country, basketball and track and a member of National Honor Society, active in the student government and a member of 4H.
"Much like many of our student-athletes, Layne comes to MSU already with a sense of duty as a student first, then an athlete," said Kennedy. "She's had a competitive prep career, nearly just around the corner from campus, and we expect her to be an integral player immediately."
Martin Ponce, another cross country and track and field double threat comes to Bozeman by way of Las Vegas where he is a 2014 graduate of Southeast Career and Technical Academy. Ponce earned four letters each in cross country and track and field for the Road Runners and brings a strong resume to MSU.
As a senior, he was the Nevada State Champion in the 1,600 and placed sixth in the 1,600. Captaining both cross country and track and field, he boasts an impressive repertoire in just his senior season. During cross country, he finished seventh in the state after regional and divisional championships. Overall, he was a four-time state qualifier in cross country.
He graduated as a scholar athlete and also is an active volunteer.
"Martin will be looked to add depth to our distance group right away," said Kennedy. "He has great experience in the distance and mid-distance events and I think he can contribute right out of the gate."
This quartet joins 12 other future Bobcats who made their commitment to Montana State for the 2014-15 year.
