New Club Represents the Big Sky State

In August of 2005, on the banks of the Jefferson River at Waterloo, at a gathering of Montana distance runners, an idea was hatched. The concept was the creation of a USA Track & Field club that could provide competitive opportunities for open and master's distance runners. And, in early 2006, the Big Sky Distance Project was established as a formal USATF member club, with the BSDP competing in 3 separate events in Montana and Colorado.

In May of 2006, two teams of master's athletes participated in the Colorado Colfax Marathon Relay. This event was also the 2006 USATF Marathon Relay Club Championships. The BSDP Team Z, comprised of Tony Banovich, Ray Mattson, Ray Hunt, Steve Simpson and Scott Creel captured 2nd place in the master's competition, winning $500 in prize money.

BSDP Team Y, placed 3rd, winning $250. Team Y members were Dave Coppock, Jeff Braun, Tom DeLuca, Mark Burke and Jeff Thomas.

In July, in cooperation with the Big Sky State Games, a separate, heat of the 5,000 meters track event was conducted. 9 athletes took advantage of this opportunity to race a competitive post-collegiate track race.

During September, BSDP team members competed in cross country meets at Montana State University and at the University of Montana. On September 17th, at the Montana State Invitation, the BSDP was represented by an open team of Alan King, Dewey Peacock, Sam Hartpence, Nathan Taylor, Brad Dolesh and John Kirtley and a master's team of Tony Banovich, Mark Slater, Tim Duncan, John Zombro and Elton Kirtley.

A mixed BSDP team, including Ray Hunt, Alan King, Sam Hartpence, Kelly Fulton, Nathan Taylor, Tony Banovich, Tom DeLuca Elton Kirtley and Jeff Braun competed at the University of Montana Invitational.

Next on the agenda for the club is the 2007 USATF National Championship Cross Country meet in Boulder, CO, followed by the 2007 USATF Marathon Relay Club Championships (again in Denver at the Colorado Colfax Marathon) and the Big Sky State Games.

Anyone interested in more information about the Big Sky Distance Project are encourage to contact Tony Banovich at 259-6333 or badrock04@msn.com.

(By Tony Banovich, Dec 12, 2006)