Wilson Named Big Sky Athlete of the Week After Breaking Own Conference Record
2/17/2025 3:00:00 PM | Men's Track and Field
Graduate student from Olympia, Washington, named Big Sky Men’s Field Athlete of the Week for second time in a row after setting new conference record in the pole vault in Albuquerque on Friday
FARMINGTON, Utah – After smashing his own school and conference record in the pole vault during the meet of a lifetime in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Colby Wilson was selected Big Sky Men's Field Athlete of the Week the league office announced on Monday.
It marks the second consecutive week that the graduate student earns the conference's weekly honor and the fifth indoor weekly accolade overall in the career of the three-time Big Sky pole vault champion.
Wilson, a native of Olympia, Washington, cleared 5.60 meters (18-04.50) to place second at the Don Kirby Elite Invitational in Albuquerque on Friday, shattering his own conference record of 5.52 meters (18-01.25).
The mark is currently tied for the eighth-best vault in NCAA Division I this year.
Wilson cleared 5.45 meters on his third and final attempt to set up three tries at 5.55 meters. On his second run, Wilson went up and over the bar to break the Big Sky record he had set in the same facility in Albuquerque back in 2023.
Riding momentum, the vaulter then took aim at 5.60 meters and got the mark on his third and final attempt with a gravity-defying clearance.
"When I made 5.55 and 5.60 I saw my mom crying in the stands because she has seen my emotions and frustration around the vault and knew it meant more than the height," Wilson said after the meet. "After I was done competing I broke down when hugging my parents because I felt this weight lift off of me. The pole vault is a unique sport in that there's a massive mutual respect for everyone that does it, which creates a strong bond between our fellow competitors. It's been great to build these relationships and have the support of all of them along the way and have them push me. Overall I'm just proud and excited and ready for more. I'm enjoying my success but hungry for higher."
Wilson is in the driver's seat for qualification to the 2025 NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on March 14-15
The top 24 competitors in each event qualify for the national championships.
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