Hamilton Will Race In Mile At Fayetteville And 10K Monday At Stillwater, One Of Many Who Could Pull Off NCAA 'Double'

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Photos courtesy Big Sky Conference

Already steeped in his community's running lore, Duncan Hamilton of Bozeman, Mont., will make more history over a wild four days when he competes at both the NCAA Division 1 Indoor Track and Field Championships and the NCAA Cross Country Championships.

Hamilton, a junior who remained in his hometown to attend Montana State, relishes the chance to wear the uniform for his school and his Bobcat teammates at both national events.

"In my meetings with (coach) Lyle (Weese) this past year, we discussed goals," Hamilton said. "I said I want someone from MSU to be at every national meet going forward. I'm bummed my team won't be there, but I'm excited to represent Montana State at the national level."

Hamilton ran the mile in 4:05.62 on MSU's home track and got a conversion of 3:57.30 due to the altitude and flat-track adjustments. That put him squarely into the NCAA's loaded men's mile field at 11th. Scratches have bumped him up to seventh on the Friday start list. 

If Hamilton reaches the final, he would race Saturday afternoon. 

By Sunday morning, Hamilton and Weese will be in a caravan to Stillwater, Okla., to begin final preparation for the 10-kilometer race at the NCAA Cross Country Championships. 

As many as 40 men and women could end up competing in both events. 

Hamilton was selected as one of 38 individual qualifiers on Sunday on the strength of his second-place finish at the Big Sky Conference Championships on Feb. 27. POST-RACE INTERVIEW

It is by no means an easy double, but Hamilton is eager for every opportunity available and has had his sights set on both since the schedule was released.

"We've been adjusting the training to be super-aerobically fit for the 10K, and also throwing in some mile workouts," Hamilton said. "We have some great pacers that have been able to pace some fast miles here in Bozeman."

Hamilton helped put his hometown on the national map before. A little more than four years ago, he was a junior on the Bozeman High boys cross country team that won Nike Cross Nationals in Portland. 

"I've been lucky enough to compete on a national stage before," he said. "My fondest memory (in running) is from when we won the national title."

When the competitive lives of college student-athletes everywhere went into hibernation in spring of 2020, Hamilton used the time to keep working and improving. 

"I'm super excited and feel like I've broken through to a new level this season," he said. 

This weekend, he'll take one race at a time and make the most of his opportunities.

"I'm planning on a super easy day Sunday and can shake the legs out a bit," Hamilton said. "I'm glad it's the mile first and then the 10K and not the other way around. I'm just hoping for the best there."