FARMINGTON, Utah — Emma Stolte recorded the first individual win by a Viking (man or woman) since 2022 with a victory at the Ash Creek Festival last Friday. It's only fitting, then, that she also be the first Viking since that same year to be named Big Sky Athlete of the Week.
 
Tatum Miller was the last Viking to be named Big Sky Athlete of the Week following her win at the 2022 Viking Rust Buster. Stolte snapped the Vikings' dry spell with a 19-second victory in the women's 5k at the Ash Creek Festival.
 
Stolte led wire-to-wire in the race, finishing in 17:21.6 ahead of Oregon State's Maella Hodgson, who placed second in 17:40.6.
 
Three different Vikings placed in the top 10 for the first time since 2023, as Stolte led teammates Taylor Nichols and Sam Sharp into the top 10. Nichols and Sharp finished seventh and 10th overall, respectively, which marked new career bests for both runners.
 
Stolte now has two top 10 finishes in as many races this season, as she also placed sixth at the Lewis & Clark Opener on Aug. 29. She and the Vikings will return to Ash Creek Preserve on Sept. 27, when they'll race at the Mike Johnson Classic. The women will race a 6k at 11 a.m., while the men race an 8k at 11:45 a.m.