FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The 2010 track and field season closed on a high note for the Northern Arizona women's throws squad. After scoring eight points at the indoor conference meet, the group collected 25 points across three events at the Big Sky Outdoor Championships and sent both Arshiya Hoseyni and Lauren Stuart to the NCAA Preliminary Round Championships. In 2011, the Lumberjack women look to continue last year's success under new assistant coach, Oscar Duncan.

Duncan, who arrived in Flagstaff in late October from Bowdoin College in Maine, is excited for the opportunity to work with the high-caliber athletes that NAU has to offer.

"The throws group at NAU has always had great tradition," Duncan said. "I think we have some young talent there, but also have some veterans who know what to do."

With each practice that passes, Duncan is able to see his athletes grow and is looking forward to seeing his women's team perform at upcoming meets.

"When you are in a competition, the distinction between Division I, II, III or world class all fades away because you are just in there trying to do your best," Duncan said. "I think we are at that stage now where I have gotten a good sense of what the athletes are capable of so now I am starting to build on their strengths and work with their weaknesses."

The Lumberjacks return a lot of talent from the 2010 squad and will be led by seniors Nicole Elliott, Arshiya Hoseyni and Michelle Baltimore.

Elliott, the 2009 women's weight throw champion, finished seventh in the event last year and redshirted the outdoor season. Baltimore is coming off of a redshirt season, but scored in both the discus and hammer throw in 2009.

"I feel like Nicole has been strong during the indoor season in both the weight and the shot. She looks real strong and will have a lot of momentum this year," Duncan said. "Michelle is another senior who will have a strong year for us. Her strength for us will be primarily the discus."

The 2011 indoor campaign will be the last season of eligibility for Hoseyni. The native of Iran finished 40th in the West Region for the shot put last May, and is putting in the extra effort this offseason to finish her Lumberjack career on a high note.

"This is Arshiya's last season and she's been here during the break and is back to full strength and getting her rhythm back," Duncan said.

Also returning to the fold for the Lumberjacks is Stuart. The sophomore from Smithers, B.C., Canada, capped off a stellar freshman year finishing second in the hammer throw at the Big Sky Outdoor Championships and placed 40th overall in the event at the west prelims.

Stuart also scored a sixth-place finish in the weight throw at the Big Sky Indoor Championships and Duncan feels she is poised to have a solid second year for the Lumberjacks.

"She is going to have a strong year," Duncan said of Stuart. "We are working through some technical changes. She is an athlete that has a good sense of how to make things go far."

The 2011 women's throws group also features three freshmen with Jessica Bush, Jamie Pomaski and Courtney Tripp all looking to follow in Stuart's footsteps in making an impact their first year on campus.

"We have Jamie, Jessica and Courtney. Jessica is probably the most throw-ready right now, but we might give her another year to get stronger and technically make an adjustment."

"The first event to be competitive right away is in the shot put, but our conference is very strong in that event. Another year will help her and the younger members on the team to become more competitive."

With a good mixture of experience and talent, the women's throws group will be counted as the Lumberjack women's team looks for its first indoor title since 2009 and first outdoor championship since 2006.