The Verlanic Family Continues its Significant Lineage in Blue & Gold

Jacqueline Verlanic

Photo by: Kelly Gorham

The Verlanic Family Continues its Significant Lineage in Blue & Gold

5/9/2017 10:53:00 AM | General, Women's Track and Field

Track and Field senior Jacqueline Verlanic has added to her family's history within Montana State Athletics with her success that culminates during this last stretch of her final outdoor season

By: Bill Lamberty

Even when no one else is around, Jacqueline Verlanic is not alone.

Not at competition sites around the Big Sky Conference, where the Montana State hammer thrower's father, brother and at least one uncle also wore Montana State's blue and gold. Not on the MSU campus, where "she is so good at building relationships" on the Bobcat track and field squad and beyond.

And certainly not in Worthington Arena last Saturday, when she became the latest Verlanic - a nearly-sacred name in Bobcat Athletics annals - to cross the stage during the school's commencement ceremonies. By her admittedly conservative estimate, she was cheered by "maybe 15 or so" and maybe more family members.

The short walk across the stage was one of the final steps in a longer but familiar journey that led her from the playing fields of Anaconda to athletic and academic success at Montana State. "The Verlanics are as blue and gold as it gets," said Bobcat track and field coach Dale Kennedy. "Family ties to your school are pretty strong in this state. There are some exceptions once in a while, but when your family has a connection to a school it's usually hard to break that bond."

Verlanic ties unquestionably run strong at Montana State. Ken Verlanic, Jacqueline's father, starred as a lineman on the 1976 National Championship team, and her brother Jim was a starting center who captained the 2008 Bobcats. Teresa, Jacqueline's mother, also contributes to the equation. Her brother Mike Tocher was a star lineman in the 1960s.

Graduation week brought a swirl of emotion and excitement for the youngest Verlanic in her generation. Friday marked her last home track meet as a Bobcat – she tossed the hammer 191-08, an improvement on her NCAA First Round qualifying mark and increased her lifetime best that is the fourth best in program history – with commencement ceremonies on Saturday. Verlanic received her bachelor's degree in education in front of "my parents, my grandma and grandpa, some aunts and uncles. It's been exciting."

So too has been her ascension as a hammer thrower. "A couple weeks ago I knew something good was going to happen" when she popped her career best throw of 191-04, which she calls the culmination of considerable effort. "I think after five years of hard work it's come together and now I'm just trying to get consistent for (Big Sky Championships)."

Bobcat throws coach Mike Carignan appreciates Verlanic's steady demeanor. "She's just so reliable," said the man who has produced countless Big Sky champions in his three-plus decades with the Cats. "She's a good person, who works hard, and she's fun to be around, but her greatest attribute is how dependable she is."

Verlanic spent her childhood traveling to Bozeman for Bobcat games, particularly when Jim anchored MSU's offensive line. She didn't say much, but her eyes were wide open. "It's been great to have someone like my brother to look up to," she said of Jim, who came to MSU as a non-scholarship player before winning playing time and then a starting job. "We did similar things, we walked on here and worked hard enough (to achieve success). I grew up watching that, so I knew I could do it."

The lessons were well learned, said Jen Allen, MSU's assistant throws coach who was also a Bobcat hammer thrower. "She works hard, and she keeps working hard when things aren't going great," Allen said. "She sees the bigger picture and never gets discouraged. She just keeps working at it."

Verlanic's hard work wasn't limited to the track and field squad. Last fall when she student taught in Belgrade, the time commitment to her education often made life as a student-athlete difficult. But Allen saw a student-athlete undeterred. "Even when she was student-teaching she didn't let that get to her. She just kept working."

Verlanic hopes the payoff arrives this week, when she competes in the Big Sky Championships in Sacramento. After a spring marked by improvement, "I'm just trying to be consistent leading up to the Big Sky (meet)."

Regardless of her performance in Sacramento, there will be familiar faces cheering her. "Her parents have been so supportive," Kennedy said. "They're always there cheering for her, for her teammates, and you see that attitude in Jackie. She's been such a great teammate. She's a great Bobcat."

And for certain, she's come by it naturally.