Montana State Track and Field and Cross Country announced the signing of two more student-athletes to national letters of intent to continue their academic and athletic careers with the Bobcats.
Mesa Starkey will join the Bobcat distance corps after a strong career at Polson High School in Polson, Mont. A 2011 graduate, Starkey brings an impressive running resume to Bozeman. As a freshman (2007), she was the state runner-up. In 2008, as a sophomore, she finished third in the Class A State Championship in cross country. She finished 16th in 2009 as a junior. She took eighth as a senior.
In track and field, she was the divisional champion in the 1,600 meter run and the runner-up in the 3,200. Her best mark in the 3,200 is 11:36.
“We are really excited to have Mesa join us,” said head coach Dale Kennedy. “She will be an instant addition to our women's distance group and will step in right away.”
Starkey is currently undecided on a major.
Joining Starkey in the fall of 2011 is Nicole Tester. Tester is a 2011 Graduate of Battleground High School in Yacolt, Wash. Also a distance runner, Tester served as team captain in both 2009 and 2010 in cross country and has been named team captain for the 2011 track and field season.
She was a first team all-league selection in 2008, 2009 and 2010 in track and field and earned all-region honors in 2008 and 2009. Starkey finished in 30th place at the Washington 4A State Championships.
“Nicole is a welcome addition to both our track and cross country programs,” Kennedy said. “We're excited to have her as a part of our distance crew and we expect an immediate impact.”
Academically, Tester is undecided on a major.
