INDIANAPOLIS-Last week, a Utah State track and field athlete was given the chance to participate in the 2018 NCAA Career in Sports Forum at the NCAA’s headquarters in Indianapolis.

The program ran from May 31-June 3 and Aggies junior thrower Michala Zilkey was granted the opportunity to attend by virtue of the selection of a committee within the NCAA membership.

Participants were selected based on their interest in pursuing a career in sports and who are viewed as campus leaders as well as by receiving a nomination from athletics administration at their respective schools.

Zilkey, a native of Gig Harbor, Wash., said she found the late Tennessee women’s basketball coach Pat Summitt’s room was “especially impact-ful” to her.

In her junior season, Zilkey placed sixth in the discus with a career-best toss of 159-6 and 11th in the hammer throw with a mark of 161-11 at the Mountain West track and field championships last month.

Zilkey stated her ambition is to “help develop female leadership in sports” and hopes to work with high school or collegiate female athletes on developing leadership style through sport and character education.