The Idaho Vandals women’s track and field team began the 2026 Big Sky Outdoor Championship on May 13 with a strong performance, highlighted by Hanna Tait setting a facility record and taking a commanding lead in the heptathlon. The team built a 146-point advantage heading into the second day of competition.
The significance of this early lead puts Idaho in a favorable position as the championship continues, giving its athletes momentum and confidence for upcoming events.
Director of Track and Field Tracy Hellman said Wednesday afternoon, “It was a great start to the Big Sky championships with our women’s multi group. Hanna had a solid day and finished day 1 with a sizable lead. Belen had some good results, also representing the Vandals. What’s exciting is that both athletes have strong day two events, so it will be exciting to see them finish. Tomorrow is a brand new day and they have to bring their best and continue to compete and battle to the end.”
Tait opened her heptathlon campaign with an impressive run in the 100-meter hurdles, clocking in at 14.04 seconds—a Klapstein Stadium record—which put her at the top of the standings from the outset. She went on to place fifth in high jump with a mark of 1.57 meters, third in shot put after an 11.28-meter throw, and finished Wednesday’s events by winning the 200 meters in 24.92 seconds—over two tenths faster than any other competitor.
Belén García Arias also competed for Idaho, finishing among the top ten in her final event of day one (the 200 meters) and currently stands fifteenth overall going into Thursday’s competition, within reach of moving up into scoring positions over three remaining events.
The heptathlon will resume Thursday morning with long jump at 11:00 am Pacific Time, followed by javelin at approximately noon, concluding after the afternoon’s final event—the women’s 800 meters.
