Mees Grabs Silver in Decathlon, Paletti Finishes Fifth after Day Two in Sacramento
5/15/2025 8:37:00 PM | Men's Track and Field, Women's Track and Field
Montana State multi-event duo gives Bobcats head start before rest of team begins action on Thursday at 2025 Big Sky Outdoor Track & Field Championships
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Gritty efforts from Montana State's multi-event athletes wrapped up action at the 2025 Big Sky Outdoor Track & Field Championships on Thursday at Hornet Stadium in Sacramento, California.
Propelled by lifetime bests in the pole vault, discus, and javelin, junior Mathias Mees claimed runner-up honors in the men's decathlon.
The first-year Bobcat earned his second silver medal in 2025 after finishing second in the men's heptathlon at the Big Sky Indoor Championships in February.
Thursday, Mees entered the competition holding a slim lead through five events but knowing he would have to continue to stack points in his strongest events if he were to hold on.
Idaho State's Tom Stoelken traded the lead with Mees throughout the day before using a big performance in the javelin to give himself a 20-second cushion in the final event—the 1,500 meters.
Mees beat Stoelken by ten seconds in the race, but it wasn't enough as the Idaho State freshman took the gold with 6,770 points to the 6,704 points recorded by Mees.
Elsewhere, an inspiring effort from the three-time defending Big Sky champion Nicola Paletti resulted in the redshirt senior placing fifth overall in the decathlon (6,154 points).
Paletti was disqualified from Wednesday's final event after being charged with a lane violation in the 400 meters.
Despite earning zero points due to the DQ, Paletti continued to fight and still finished in the top five despite only earning points in nine of the ten events—an incredible feat and display of athleticism.
It was an emotional turnaround for Paletti, who knew as the heavy favorite to repeat that his chances at a fourth straight gold were shot due to Wednesday's finale. Even still, Paletti won the 1,500 meters in a personal-best time of 4:36.02, leaving it all out there to try to help out the Bobcats' team score.
Paletti earned four points towards the Montana State men's team total, while Mees' runner-up finish contributed eight points.
On the women's side, freshman Hailey Ells finished up her first career heptathlon with a ninth place finish.
The native of Whitefish, Montana, tallied 4,355 points over the course of the two days, ending her week with a valiant effort in the 800 meters in which she crossed the line in a personal-best time 2:22.60.
Montana State's track and field team takes to Hornet Stadium in full force on Friday as prelims and finals take place on the third day of the 2025 Big Sky Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
A meet schedule, heat sheets, live results, and more can be found at the championship central webpage.
The men's javelin and men's high jump are first up for the field events, getting underway at 12 p.m. PT/1 p.m. MT.
The women's 3,000 meter steeplechase is the first event on the track at 2 p.m. PT/3 p.m. MT.
All events from the 2025 BIg Sky Outdoor Track & Field Championships are streaming live on ESPN+.
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