FARMINGTON, Utah – As the 2021 outdoor track and field season gets into full swing, the Big Sky Conference announced its preseason coaches’ poll on Wednesday. Montana State’s men’s and women’s squads rank near the top with the men’s team ranked second and the women’s team slotted fourth in their respective polls.
On the men’s side, the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks were selected to claim the 2021 Big Sky Conference Championship, receiving all but one first-place vote and 120 total points. NAU last claimed an outdoor championship in 2018, where they scored 131 points.
Montana State (91) was picked ahead of Southern Utah (87) despite the T-Birds winning the men’s crown at the last outdoor championship in 2019. Southern Utah received the lone first place vote that didn’t go to Northern Arizona.
On the women’s side, the Lumberjacks of Northern Arizona received five of the 11 available first-place votes, and racked up 111 total points. Placed ahead of Montana State were Weber State (100) and Sacramento State (99). Weber State looks to improve on its runner-up finish from the 2019 championships, while Sacramento State was picked third despite being the defending Big Sky champions.
Montana State’s women’s squad sits ahead of Idaho State (74) and Southern Utah (70).
The 2021 Big Sky Outdoor Track & Field Championships will be held in Ogden, and will run from Wednesday, May 12-Saturday, May 15. Weber State University is the host of the 2021 Big Sky Championships.
Men’s Outdoor T&F Coaches Poll Results
Northern Arizona 120 (10)
Montana State 91
Southern Utah 87 (1)
Idaho State 77
Idaho 74
Weber State 73
Montana 62
Eastern Washington 55
Sacramento State 48
Northern Colorado 24
Portland State 15
Women’s Outdoor T&F Coaches Poll Results
Northern Arizona 111 (5)
Weber State 100 (1)
Sacramento State 99 (4)
Montana State 82
Idaho State 74
Southern Utah 70 (1)
Idaho 61
Montana 49
Eastern Washington 44
Northern Colorado 24
Portland State 12
() – First-Place Votes
