Former White River High standout athlete Carley McCutchen is doing great things at the collegiate level, breaking records and reaping multiple honors.

Now a senior at Montana State University, McCutchen shines for the Bobcats’ track and field team. Having already captured the Big Sky Conference indoor championship in the pentathlon, she’s now making a successful run during the outdoor season in the heptathlon.

She most recently was named Field Athlete of the Week by the Big Sky Conference. The award was announced April 20 and marked the second time McCutcheon has garnered the conference honor this season.

The award came after McCutchen kicked off the Mt. Sac Relays in California by breaking the MSU heptathlon record with 5,461 points. The senior placed in the top 10 in five-of-seven events and moved up to No. 8 on the Big Sky’s Top 10 list. In the process, she topped the previous record of 5,434 held by MSU coach Erin Jones-Graf that was set in 2006.

Her California performance left McCutchen ranked 21st in the nation.

“It was a great two days for all three of our multi-athletes,” head coach Dale Kennedy said. “All three of them hit personal bests and Carley topped that off by breaking the record. This was a fantastic way to start off the weekend.”

The meet was hosted by Azusa Pacific University.

McCutchen found her way to the top ten in five-of-seven events, with a pair of Top 5 finishes. The senior’s best finish came in the 200 meters, placing fifth with a time of 24.67 seconds. That was a personal record and placed her on MSU’s Top 10 list. In the 100 hurdles, McCutchen also placed fifth, crossing the finish line in 14.33 seconds.

McCutcheon also is part of the Bobcat women’s 4×400 relay crew that recently shattered the school record. The foursome completed the race in 3:40.65, breaking a record that was set last season by .62 seconds. The new record is currently the best time in the Big Sky Conference.

In early April, McCutcheon qualified for the conference championships while accumulating 5,321 points during her first heptathlon of the outdoor season. On the MSU campus in Bozeman, she led the Bobcat women in all but one event during two days of competition.

Fellow athletes say McCutchen is tops

Carley McCutchen’s athletic star now shines outside the world of track and field.

During an awards banquet April 22, McCutchen was named Montana State University’s Female Student/Athlete of the Year. The honor is voted upon by all the MSU female athletes from all sports.