Photo by: Garrett Becker
Thompson-Siporen Aims for Successful Final Year at Montana State
5/22/2020 2:03:00 PM | Men's Track and Field
Wyatt Thompson-Siporen has already had a decorated career as a Bobcat and will attempt to add more to his resume in 2021 in his final outdoor season of eligibility
BOZEMAN, Mont. – Three times at Big Sky Conference Track and Field Championship meets Wyatt Thompson-Siporen has earned a silver medal in a multi event. With one season remaining, Thompson-Siporen has his sights set at the top of the podium.
For many, what Thompson-Siporen accomplished at Montana State's most recent championship meet appearance would be the highlight of their collegiate career. The Ashland, Ore., native took second in the heptathlon, fourth in the pole vault and 10th in the long jump in his final season of indoor eligibility at the Big Sky Championships this February in Pocatello, Idaho.
That just wasn't quite the standard for the Bobcat jumper.
"Unfortunately at the indoor conference (championship) I was still in damage control mode," Thompson-Siporen said. He cited issues being mentally focused in the pole vault as well as an injury he sustained in the first event of the heptathlon feeling like he wasn't anywhere near 100 percent at the meet.
"I was just trying go out there and score some points and have a salvageable end to indoor," Thompson-Siporen said. "The plan really was to just recover as best as I could going into outdoor, get some energy back and hopefully be able to have a solid progression."
Thompson-Siporen had already stacked up a strong college resume in his short amount of time as a Bobcat heading into the 2020 outdoor season.
He made an immediate impact when he joined the Bobcats ahead of the 2017-18 indoor season. As a sophomore in eligibility, Thompson-Siporen earned runner-up in the pole vault at the Big Sky Indoor Championships. After redshirting in the spring of 2018, Thompson-Siporen had a standout 2018-19 season. He claimed a gold medal in the pole vault and finished second in the heptathlon at the Big Sky Indoor Championships held in Bozeman. His success carried over to the outdoor season, taking second in the pole vault as well as in the decathlon competition at the Big Sky meet. That multi event came down to the final event of 10, with Thompson-Siporen finishing with a personal-best 7,132 points. He was just 23 points away from a Big Sky title in the event.
Following the completion of this past indoor season, Thompson-Siporen was prepared to complete his final outdoor season of eligibility this month. Instead, he and his teammates saw their outdoor seasons canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
It forced many to see their track and field careers end on a note they hadn't planned. It's a different tale for Thompson-Siporen. He will have the opportunity to pursue an extra year in Bozeman and contend for a gold medal in the decathlon.
"To be honest, I think it would have been really difficult to get to a spot where I'd be at the top of my game," Thompson-Siporen said in preparing for this May's Big Sky Championship meet. "I'm feeling healthy and great now, the rest has been really key."
Thompson-Siporen will have time now to prepare for his final outdoor season of eligibility. He also will be able to serve as an example of handling the rigors of being a Division I student-athlete.
He's been a multiple-time selection to Big Sky All-Academic teams and been recognized by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches' Association as an All-Academic selection. While he's already wrapped up a degree in history, Thompson-Siporen is looking forward to continuing his academic pursuits while leading the Bobcat program's underclassmen.
"I'm really excited to meet and talk to another group of kids starting their journey through the cycle," Thompson-Siporen said. "I'm excited about coaching and continuing along with Noah (Martin) to help with the some of the logistical aspects of practice. I do really like the coaching side being an older person on the track team, that's really fun for me. Just solidifying relationships is another goal of mine, spending time in Bozeman and also just working on what I've struggled with during sports in college."
After beginning his college career with year-long stops at UC Santa Barbara and Lane Community College, Thompson-Siporen has made the most of his time in Bozeman already. He completed his indoor tenure for the Bobcats with the third ranked pole vault mark (16-09.25) in program history and fourth highest point total in the heptathlon (5,229). He currently stands seventh in the decathlon (7,132) and 10th in the pole vault (16-05.50) outdoors with the opportunity to improve his rankings in each event in 2021. He knows he's in a good position to continue to increase those marks because of the decision he made to come to Montana State.
"The first thing I was struck by getting here was the caring involvement of the support staff and the resources the university has," Thompson-Siporen said. "MSU has an amazing budget to make things happen for its track kids which is really not the case at other schools, so I'm fortunate. This whole sixth year situation is another reflection of that. A lot of other schools don't have the resources to take on new recruits and retain sixth years, so there's a lot to be thankful for as an athlete at MSU."
Thompson-Siporen is looking forward to a final shot at finishing atop the Big Sky standings after several close chances. He gets the opportunity to have another year to hone in on his craft and embrace an opportunity to spend an additional season competing for Montana State.
"The track team itself, the jumpers are definitely a cohesive group," Thompson-Siporen said. "It's a great track family and a really supportive atmosphere. For me, I'm just relying on making it through the winter unscathed. See if I can put together a special outdoor season."
For many, what Thompson-Siporen accomplished at Montana State's most recent championship meet appearance would be the highlight of their collegiate career. The Ashland, Ore., native took second in the heptathlon, fourth in the pole vault and 10th in the long jump in his final season of indoor eligibility at the Big Sky Championships this February in Pocatello, Idaho.
That just wasn't quite the standard for the Bobcat jumper.
"Unfortunately at the indoor conference (championship) I was still in damage control mode," Thompson-Siporen said. He cited issues being mentally focused in the pole vault as well as an injury he sustained in the first event of the heptathlon feeling like he wasn't anywhere near 100 percent at the meet.
"I was just trying go out there and score some points and have a salvageable end to indoor," Thompson-Siporen said. "The plan really was to just recover as best as I could going into outdoor, get some energy back and hopefully be able to have a solid progression."
Thompson-Siporen had already stacked up a strong college resume in his short amount of time as a Bobcat heading into the 2020 outdoor season.
He made an immediate impact when he joined the Bobcats ahead of the 2017-18 indoor season. As a sophomore in eligibility, Thompson-Siporen earned runner-up in the pole vault at the Big Sky Indoor Championships. After redshirting in the spring of 2018, Thompson-Siporen had a standout 2018-19 season. He claimed a gold medal in the pole vault and finished second in the heptathlon at the Big Sky Indoor Championships held in Bozeman. His success carried over to the outdoor season, taking second in the pole vault as well as in the decathlon competition at the Big Sky meet. That multi event came down to the final event of 10, with Thompson-Siporen finishing with a personal-best 7,132 points. He was just 23 points away from a Big Sky title in the event.
Following the completion of this past indoor season, Thompson-Siporen was prepared to complete his final outdoor season of eligibility this month. Instead, he and his teammates saw their outdoor seasons canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
It forced many to see their track and field careers end on a note they hadn't planned. It's a different tale for Thompson-Siporen. He will have the opportunity to pursue an extra year in Bozeman and contend for a gold medal in the decathlon.
"To be honest, I think it would have been really difficult to get to a spot where I'd be at the top of my game," Thompson-Siporen said in preparing for this May's Big Sky Championship meet. "I'm feeling healthy and great now, the rest has been really key."
Thompson-Siporen will have time now to prepare for his final outdoor season of eligibility. He also will be able to serve as an example of handling the rigors of being a Division I student-athlete.
He's been a multiple-time selection to Big Sky All-Academic teams and been recognized by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches' Association as an All-Academic selection. While he's already wrapped up a degree in history, Thompson-Siporen is looking forward to continuing his academic pursuits while leading the Bobcat program's underclassmen.
"I'm really excited to meet and talk to another group of kids starting their journey through the cycle," Thompson-Siporen said. "I'm excited about coaching and continuing along with Noah (Martin) to help with the some of the logistical aspects of practice. I do really like the coaching side being an older person on the track team, that's really fun for me. Just solidifying relationships is another goal of mine, spending time in Bozeman and also just working on what I've struggled with during sports in college."
After beginning his college career with year-long stops at UC Santa Barbara and Lane Community College, Thompson-Siporen has made the most of his time in Bozeman already. He completed his indoor tenure for the Bobcats with the third ranked pole vault mark (16-09.25) in program history and fourth highest point total in the heptathlon (5,229). He currently stands seventh in the decathlon (7,132) and 10th in the pole vault (16-05.50) outdoors with the opportunity to improve his rankings in each event in 2021. He knows he's in a good position to continue to increase those marks because of the decision he made to come to Montana State.
"The first thing I was struck by getting here was the caring involvement of the support staff and the resources the university has," Thompson-Siporen said. "MSU has an amazing budget to make things happen for its track kids which is really not the case at other schools, so I'm fortunate. This whole sixth year situation is another reflection of that. A lot of other schools don't have the resources to take on new recruits and retain sixth years, so there's a lot to be thankful for as an athlete at MSU."
Thompson-Siporen is looking forward to a final shot at finishing atop the Big Sky standings after several close chances. He gets the opportunity to have another year to hone in on his craft and embrace an opportunity to spend an additional season competing for Montana State.
"The track team itself, the jumpers are definitely a cohesive group," Thompson-Siporen said. "It's a great track family and a really supportive atmosphere. For me, I'm just relying on making it through the winter unscathed. See if I can put together a special outdoor season."
Players Mentioned
Jumps
/ Men's Track and FieldBig Sky Preview
Friday, February 11
Track and Field Big Sky Championships
Monday, February 18
Coach Kennedy - Feb. 11, 2013
Tuesday, February 12
Coach Kennedy - Feb. 4, 2013
Tuesday, February 05
