Duncan Hamilton Optimistic as Bobcats Train During Fall

BOZEMAN, Mont. – Montana State distance runner Duncan Hamilton had a similar feeling as others across the Division I landscape when news came in August that fall sports would be postponed to the spring of 2021. It was just a few months ago that preparations for the outdoor track and field season were halted and then officially canceled as the coronavirus pandemic knocked out the remainder of the 2019-20 athletic year.

But as the 2020 fall semester began and activities started to pick back up on campus, despite being modified, Hamilton looked at the work he and his teammates could get done as a positive.

"I was obviously really bummed especially after missing last outdoor season," Hamilton said of the cross country season postponement. "I was just itching to compete. But as long as we get to practice, that's the next best thing. I'm just super happy to be running with the guys again."

The Bozeman native had just completed his first college indoor season and was gearing up for outdoor when things evolved in March. Hamilton had nearly broke the four-minute barrier in the mile inside Worthington Arena, earned a Big Sky Male Track Athlete of the Week award and nearly had a podium finish in the mile at the Big Sky Indoor Championships to highlight his debut during the season.

Those accomplishments followed what was a standout individual cross country campaign last fall. Hamilton earned all-conference honors with his performance at the Big Sky meet in Greeley in November. Despite not being able to replicate that feat in the fall of 2020, Hamilton is hoping to put together a strong level of fitness during the fall even without a cross country schedule.

"We have these couple months to just run super hard mileage and get a good training block in," Hamilton said. "Then next January or February, we'll get to reap the benefits of a year's worth of just solid training. I think we can do some amazing things."

The Bobcat men's cross country team was expected to be among the top of the conference competitors prior to the postponement of the season. Picked by the league's head coaches to finish third in the Big Sky preseason poll, the MSU squad was set to return six runners that had multiple years of finishes as part of the team's scoring lineup. Those returners, along with a couple of new faces expected to make an immediate impact for the group, have Hamilton and the Bobcats already anticipating the opportunity to compete when an official season is determined.

"I think we've kind of got a super solid mentality among everybody that we're just really ready to work hard," Hamilton said. "We're pushing each other as hard we can and taking those expectations that we had this fall and bumping them up again. We're not just postponing our goals, but we're making them bigger.

Hamilton said beyond cross country and looking ahead to the track and field slate that there are high hopes among the group on the Montana State men's team. A squad that finished third at the Indoor Championships a season ago, the Bobcats are expected to bring back over 10 individuals that have scored points at previous Big Sky Conference Championship meets.

When that time comes, Hamilton believes he and his teammates will be ready. He has big goals for himself and for the program as he continues to improve and become a recognizable face at top meets.

"The best effort in everything is a process goal, but beyond that I want to see Montana State represented on the national stage every season from here on out. Whether that's individually or as a team, I'm ready for us to get to that next level."

As Montana State Athletics strives to develop the best and brightest student-athletes, support for the Bobcat Club Annual Scholarship Fund is crucial now more than ever. Donating to the Bobcat Club Annual Scholarship Fund ensures that 350-plus Bobcat student-athletes continue to receive the resources needed to succeed on and off the field of competition.

For more information about the Bobcat Club Annual Scholarship Fund, visit MSUBobcatClub.com or contact members of the Bobcat Club staff.

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