FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Northern Arizona Track & Field and Cross Country Director Eric Heins announced Thursday that Mo Huber and Jacquelyn Johnson have officially joined the track and field coaching staff as graduate assistants. Huber will assist Heins with the cross country team and distance events during the track season, while Johnson will assist with the sprinters, jumpers and hurdlers.

Huber, a native of Oakland, Calif., joins the NAU staff after competing four years at the University of Washington on the cross country and track and field teams. Huber was a member of the Husky cross country teams that won two PAC-10 titles and the women's national championship in 2008. On the track, Huber was an accomplished steeplechaser, competing in three PAC-10 championships in the event, as well as advancing to the 2008 West Regional.

"Whenever you have a male coach in charge of both programs, it is always beneficial to have a female on staff, especially one with the credentials she has," Heins said about Huber. "She is going to be able to help out a lot with making sure the women's team has someone to communicate with and be able to resolve any issues that arise."

While in college, Huber began her coaching career as a counselor at the Stanford Running Camp in 2009 as well as working the Runners workshop camp from 2006-10. Huber also coached the University of Washington U19 freshmen women at the 2010 USA Championships in Spokane, Wash.

Johnson arrives in Flagstaff after completing a stellar career two hours south in Tempe, Ariz., at Arizona State University. She is a seven-time NCAA National Champion (four heptathlons & three pentathlons) and 2008 Team USA Olympic competitor (heptathlon).

Johnson ended her storied career at ASU as the only woman to win four NCAA heptathlon tiles. Just two weeks after winning her fourth NCAA Outdoor title, Johnson qualified for her first Olympic Team, finishing as the runner-up at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials with a personal best 6,347 points.

"Jackie brings a certain experience that is very hard to come by with being a seven-time national champion and Olympian," Heins said. "Those experiences, along with her youth and energy, will help her get the athletes that we have here excited about training and competing."

A native of Yuma, Ariz., Johnson attended Yuma High School and is one of the most decorated athletes in Arizona high school history. During her pre-collegiate days, Johnson captured 14 Arizona state titles, including having won gold four times in the high jump and long jump while winning state titles in the 100m hurdles and triple jump three times.

Heins also sees Huber and Johnson as assets for reeling in top-tier recruits.

"Both ladies will also be doing a great job with recruiting the women's side since we want to have a top recruiting class this year with all the people that we have lost and will lose to graduation," Heins said.

Huber and Johnson will both be working towards a master's degree in educational leadership.