(Editor’s note: Story by Montana Sports Information)
MISSOULA — As Hana Feilzer’s collegiate career creeps toward the finish line, her list of accolades continues to grow. The senior thrower was named the Big Sky Conference Female Field Athlete of the Week on Monday, her second honor of the outdoor season and fourth of the academic year.
Making the feat even more impressive, she has now been named Big Sky Athlete of the Week seven times during her career, more than any other athlete in school history. Loni Perkins-Judisch (2005-08), Katrina Drennen (2009-12) and Lindsey Hall (2011-14) all earned the weekly honor six times.
In addition to her four awards this year, Feilzer was named the athlete of the week twice during the 2016 outdoor season and once during the 2017 indoor season.
Feilzer’s most-recent accolade came after she won the hammer throw – again – at the Tom Gage Classic last Friday in Bozeman. Her top distance of 204-1 ranks eighth in Big Sky history. Feilzer now owns five of the top-12 spots on the league’s all-time list.
In addition to her performance in the hammer throw – an event she will enter this week’s Big Sky Championships as the favorite in – the Missoula native placed second in the discus with a toss of 146-7. Feilzer ranks fifth in the Big Sky this season in the discus. She is the heavy favorite in the hammer throw, as the only thrower to clear 200 feet (she’s done it in four consecutive meets).
Feilzer currently ranks 14th in the NCAA West Region in the hammer throw, which would easily qualify her for regionals later this month, and is right on the cusp of a berth to nationals.
During the 2019 indoor and outdoor seasons, Montana’s women have been named Big Sky Athlete of the Week a total of six times, more than ever in school history. In addition to Feilzer’s four honors, Erika McLeod (indoor) and Maryn Lowry (outdoor) have also been recognized.
The Grizzlies will host the 2019 Big Sky Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships this week at Dornblaser Field, beginning with the multi-events Wednesday and Thursday, before the remainder of the meet takes place on Friday and Saturday.
